MEXICO CITY -- Authorities said the death toll in Mexico from flooding caused by former Hurricane Alex has risen to six.

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

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)