Fred strengthens slightly as it heads to US coast

By TERRY SPENCER and ANDREA RODRÍGUEZ
Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The National Hurricane Center said Fred has regained tropical storm status in the Gulf of Mexico as parts of the Caribbean began seeing impacts from tropical depression Grace. Forecasters said Sunday that Fred is forecast to move across the Gulf and reach the coast as early as Monday afternoon. People from Alabama to the central Florida Panhandle are encouraged to monitor the system’s progress. Meanwhile, tropical depression Grace is forecast to bring heavy rainfall to the Lesser and Greater Antilles over the next few days. Forecasters say both tropical systems pose a flooding threat. Another tropical depression formed Sunday night northeast of Bermuda. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the island.