Fishermen move their boats, normally moored in the Gulf of Mexico, onto a coastal road to protect them ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Franklin, in the port city of Veracruz, Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017. A strengthening Tropical Storm Franklin took aim at Mexico's central Gulf coast after a relatively mild run across the Yucatan Peninsula, with forecasts saying it would grow into a hurricane before making its second landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)
The Associated Press
MEXICO CITY (AP) - Hurricane Franklin roared ashore on Mexico's central Gulf coast early Thursday, threatening to pound a mountainous region prone to flash floods and mudslides with torrential rains and heavy winds.
Franklin strengthened into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season on Wednesday and its landfall early Thursday was its second on Mexican territory in three days. As a tropical storm, Franklin made a relatively mild run across the Yucatan Peninsula earlier in the week.
Authorities in Veracruz ordered classes canceled at public schools as a precautionary measure. Schools are frequently used as storm shelters in Mexico.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Franklin, a Category 1 storm, had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph). The storm was expected to weaken as it moved inland.
Franklin's center was about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north-northwest of the city of Veracruz, and was heading west near 13 mph (20 kph).
A hurricane warning was in effect for the coast from Veracruz city north to Cabo Rojo. A hurricane watch extended north from Cabo Rojo to Rio Panuco.
Mexico Civil Defense director Ricardo de la Cruz said Tuesday that the storm's impact on Yucatan was not as bad as initially feared, with some trees down and power out in some areas. But, he warned, "the second impact could even be stronger than the first."
Forecasters said Franklin could drop four to eight inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain, with localized amounts of up to 15 inches (38 centimeters).
Tape protects the windows of a restaurant as residents prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Franklin, in the port city of Veracruz, Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017. As a tropical storm, Franklin made a relatively mild run across the Yucatan Peninsula on Monday night and Tuesday, but on Wednesday it strengthened to a hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico as it prepared to pound a mountainous region prone to flash floods and mudslides with heavy rains. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)
The Associated Press
A woman tapes up the windows of her restaurant ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Franklin, in the port city of Veracruz, Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017. As a tropical storm, Franklin made a relatively mild run across the Yucatan Peninsula on Monday night and Tuesday, but on Wednesday it strengthened to a hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico as it prepared to pound a mountainous region prone to flash floods and mudslides with heavy rains. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)
The Associated Press
Fishermen drag a boat onto dry land to protect it ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Franklin, in the port city of Veracruz, Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017. A strengthening Tropical Storm Franklin took aim at Mexico's central Gulf coast after a relatively mild run across the Yucatan Peninsula, with forecasts saying it would grow into a hurricane before making its second landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)
The Associated Press
A man carries away plastic chairs as beachfront businesses strip down to their bare bones in preparation for the arrival of Tropical Storm Franklin, in the port city of Veracruz, Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017. A strengthening Tropical Storm Franklin took aim at Mexico's central Gulf coast after a relatively mild run across the Yucatan Peninsula, with forecasts saying it would grow into a hurricane before making its second landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)
The Associated Press
Red flags serve as markers to warn beachgoers to stay out of the water ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Franklin, in the port city of Veracruz, Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017. A strengthening Tropical Storm Franklin took aim at Mexico's central Gulf coast after a relatively mild run across the Yucatan Peninsula, with forecasts saying it would grow into a hurricane before making its second landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)
The Associated Press
Fishermen drag a boat onto dry land to protect it ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Franklin, in the port city of Veracruz, Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017. A strengthening Tropical Storm Franklin took aim at Mexico's central Gulf coast after a relatively mild run across the Yucatan Peninsula, with forecasts saying it would grow into a hurricane before making its second landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)
The Associated Press
A woman ties down the frame of a beachfront business as she prepares for the arrival of Tropical Storm Franklin, in the port city of Veracruz, Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017. A strengthening Tropical Storm Franklin took aim at Mexico's central Gulf coast after a relatively mild run across the Yucatan Peninsula, with forecasts saying it would grow into a hurricane before making its second landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)
The Associated Press