BELIZE CITY (AP) - Tropical Storm Richard has weakened to a tropical depression after battering the tiny Central American country of Belize as a hurricane.

Richard's maximum sustained winds had decreased to near 35 mph
(55 kph) Monday with additional weakening expected.

The depression is located about 145 miles (235 kilometers) south
of Campeche, Mexico, and is moving west-northwest near 8 mph (13
kph).

The depression's center is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday morning.

An estimated 10,000 people in Belize took refuge at storm shelters in schools and churches ahead of the arrival of Richard, which made landfall as a hurricane late Sunday about 20 miles (35 kilometers) south-southwest of Belize City.