Tropical Storm Marco swirls over Gulf of Mexico

Residents and tourists in Mexico's Quintana Roo state were relieved on Saturday that tropical storm Marco changed its trajectory and appeared to spare local beaches, a top tourist destination.

Tropical storm Marco, which swirled over Gulf of Mexico on Saturday, is however predicted to hit U.S. Gulf Coast as a hurricane later this week.

Meanwhile, tropical storm Laura kcked utilities out as it battered Hispaniola, following a track forecast to take it to same part of U.S. coast, also as a hurricane.

It would be first time two hurricanes appear in Gulf of Mexico simultaneously, according to records dating to at least 1900, said Coloro State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.

last time two storms me landfall in United States within 24 hours of each or was in 1933, he said.

Marco was strengning as it entered Gulf of Mexico.

Late Saturday, it was centered about 50 miles (85 kilometers) west of Cuba's western tip, heed to rth-rthwest at 13 mph (20 kph).

It h maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and was expected to become a hurricane soon.

hurricane center said storms were t expected to interact as region faces an unusually active hurricane season.