Tropical Storm Alma pounds Nicaragua

Tropical Storm Alma slammed into northwestern Nicaragua on Thursday, forcing evacuations and causing flooding along the coast, reports the Associated Press.

The Miami Herald called Alma the "first menacing storm of the tropical Pacific season."

"The fast-growing storm took forecasters and much of Central America by surprise. Forecasters warned that Alma could dump as much as 20 inches of rain in some places. The storm was expected to continue on a northern path, bringing its effects to parts of Honduras and El Salvador."

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City