NATION IN BRIEF - GULF OF MEXICO - Storm Strengthens, Perils Coastal Areas

A tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico showed signs of taking on hurricane strength, with the threat of swamping coastal areas that are already facing abnormally high tides, forecasters said. Tropical Storm Jerry, which was spawned by a tropical depression off the coast of Mexico, had top winds of 70 m.p.h. and was located about 580 miles from New Orleans, the National Hurricane Center in Coral Gables, Fla., said. Forecasters said that the high tides could result from the rough seas caused by the storm as well as the strong gravitational pull of the moon.