Hurricane Ernesto bears down on the Gulf of Mexico

The first hurricane of the season has arrived. Hurricane Ernesto heads toward the Gulf of Mexico.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) – Ernesto became the first hurricane of the Atlantic season Sunday with winds of 75 mph, and forecasters said it would strengthen as it headed toward the Gulf of Mexico, where it could menace a wide swath of coastline including New Orleans.

Tropical Storm Ernesto Strengthens Over Caribbean