Alma, the first tropical storm of the hurricane season, lost its strength Friday over Central America, sparing oil platforms in southern Mexico after slamming parts of the region with deadly winds and rain.

The storm struck Nicaragua's Pacific coast Thursday with winds near 104 kilometres per hour, killing three people as strong gusts toppled trees and power lines and ripped roofs off flimsy homes.

A seven-year-old girl died in Honduras when she was swept away by a current as she tried to cross a raging stream close to the border with Nicaragua, authorities said.