Around the World: United States

Weakened storm hits coast

Tropical Storm Ida blew ashore at Mobile Bay in Alabama with rain and gusty but weakening winds before dawn yesterday as weather-hardened Gulf Coast residents rode out the rare late-season storm.

Forecasters said the storm, with top sustained winds slowing to about 75 kph, had already spread most of its heavy rain onshore along the Gulf Coast ahead of Ida's center.