Tropical storm Lee begins pelting US Gulf Coast

Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Lee were falling in southern Louisiana and pelting the U.S. Gulf Coast on Saturday as the storm's center trudged slowly toward land, where businesses were already beginning to suffer on what would normally be a bustling holiday weekend. The storm was expected to drop 10 to 15 inches (25 to 37.5 centimeters) of rain across southern Louisiana, AP reported. Tropical storm warning were posted from Alabama to Texas and flash flood warnings extended along the Alabama coast into the Florida Panhandle. The storm's slow forward movement means that its rain clouds should have more time to disgorge themselves on any cities in their path. The National Hurricane Center said Saturday morning that Lee's center was about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana, moving north at 6 mph (9 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (97 kph).