Hurricane Carlotta: Two children killed as storm hits Mexico

GlobalPost

Hurricane Carlotta was downgraded to a tropical storm on Saturday after it killed two children when it hit Mexico's southern Pacific coast.

Two sisters, aged 13 and seven, were killed Friday night in the town of Pluma Hidalgo, Oaxaca, when their mudbrick house collapsed in a landslide, reported Reuters. The girls' mother survived but was badly injured and taken to the hospital.

The storm weakened to a tropical depression as it passed over southwestern Mexico on Saturday, according to CNN. Carlotta is expected to continue to soak the area for another day or two, but all warnings and watches have been called off. It was located about 50 miles north-northeast of Acapulco at 11 a.m. ET and was moving toward the northwest at about 12 mph.

More from GlobalPost: Hurricane Carlotta: Category 2 storm strengthens on its way to Mexico

"These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides," the US National Hurricane Center said, according to Reuters. It also added that there is the possibility of isolated rains of up to 15 inches.

CNN also reported that preliminary reports show Carlotta ripped roofs off of homes and caused power outages and landslides. In the mountain community of Pluma Hidalgo, around 1,200 people are in shelters. Many others have been evacuated and are staying with relatives or friends.

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