Gulf storm strengthens to hurricane; Alex taking aim at Mexico-Texas border, far from spill

Alex blows into hurricane strength in western Gulf

MIAMI — Alex has become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season and is churning through the western Gulf, taking aim at the Mexico-Texas border and far away from the massive oil spill.

Alex had maximum sustained winds at 75 mph (120 kph) late Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center says the Category 1 storm is the first June Atlantic hurricane since 1995.

Forecasters says landfall seems likely Wednesday night.

Hurricane-force winds extended up to 15 miles (30 kilometers) from the storm’s center. Tropical storm-force winds extend 175 miles (280 kilometers).

A hurricane warning was posted for the Texas coast from Baffin Bay, south to the mouth of the Rio Grande river and south to La Cruz, Mexico.