Hurricane Alex claims six

The death toll in Mexico from flooding caused by former Hurricane Alex has risen to six, authorities say.

Nuevo Leon state Civil defence Director Jorge Camacho said the victims died in and around the northern city of Monterrey.

President Felipe Calderon toured damaged areas of the city where the force of flood waters had tossed and flipped cars and pickup trucks, and nearly buried houses in mud and rocks.

Calderon said 1,200 soldiers had been dispatched to help in relief efforts.

The city was hit by heavy rain on Thursday that swelled the Santa Catarina river, which is normally dry.

The flooding damaged bridges in Monterrey as well as railway tracks in the region.

Alex hit Mexico's Gulf coast on Wednesday as a Category 2 hurricane before weakening into a tropical storm while moving inland. It dissipated on Thursday.

Alex had earlier battered Central America, causing flooding and rock-slides that killed two people in Guatemala and two in El Salvador.

- AP