NEW : Ernesto is 5 miles from Louisiana 's Gulf coast . NEW : It is expected to weaken as it moves over land . NEW : Tropical storm Ernesto skirted the Mexican coast Thursday with top winds of 60 miles an hour , the U.S. National Hurricane Center said . A tropical storm warning is in effect for the region . The storm surge could reach 3 feet , an estimate .
NEW : Ernesto is 5 miles from Louisiana 's Gulf coast . NEW : It is expected to weaken as it moves over land . NEW : A tropical storm warning is in effect for the region . The storm surge could reach 3 feet , an estimate .