Tropical Storm Newton on Path Toward US, Threatening Floods and Mudslides

— -- Tropical Storm Newton made landfall again early Wednesday morning in mainland Mexico on its path toward the United States, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. The storm could bring potentially dangerous rains to parts of the country.

“The main concern with this system will be heavy rainfall that will be spreading from northwestern Mexico into Arizona and New Mexico over the next day or so,” the center said in its latest forecast. “These rains could cause flooding and mudslides.”

The storm is expected to cross into the U.S. near Tucson, Arizona, later Wednesday morning or early afternoon, bringing with it heavy rains and high winds.

Flash flood watches have been issued for Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas, where there’s a chance of 3 to 4 inches of rain within the next 24 to 36 hours, according to ABC News meteorologist Max Golembo.

“Already, moisture from Newton has spread into the southwest U.S., and more to come,” Golembo said. “Some of this moisture will be carried all the way into the Plains and Midwest.”

Flash flood warnings were also issued in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. Gusty winds over 70 mph were reported in the region Tuesday, Golembo said.

Newton intensified rapidly over Labor Day weekend. The weather system first came ashore in Mexico’s Baja California peninsula near popular resorts Tuesday morning as a Category 1 hurricane with 90 mph winds. The storm shattered windows, took down palm trees and knocked out power in the area.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.