Tropical Storm Alberto, the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, has formed over the Western Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to make landfall in northeastern Mexico early Thursday.
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Alberto has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and is moving westward at 9 mph. The Storm Alberto may strengthen slightly before making landfall.
The Storm Alberto is projected to impact areas ranging from the Texas coast to the higher terrains of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas in Mexico.
Issued for the Texas coast from San Luis Pass to the Rio Grande River’s mouth. Similar warnings are in place for the northeastern coast of Mexico south of the Rio Grande.
The NHC highlights potential threats such as flash flooding, river flooding, rip currents and wind gusts exceeding 50 mph.
Governor Greg Abbott has declared a disaster for 51 counties, activating the Texas National Guard to assist in emergency response efforts.
Over 40 personnel, 20 vehicles and Chinook helicopters have been mobilized. Coahuila Governor Manolo Jiménez Salinas is coordinating with the Mexican army and national guard to prepare for mudslides and flooding.
Texas is preparing for rainfall, with forecasts predicting 5 to 10 inches across the region, up to 20 inches in isolated areas.
Several roads in Corpus Christi are already closed due to high water levels. A tornado watch is in effect for south Texas coastal areas, extending inland to Laredo. Coastal areas may experience a storm surge up to 4 feet with accompanying large waves.
Some regions in Mexico could receive up to 20 inches of rain, especially in higher terrains, which raises the risk of mudslides and severe flooding.
The areas most at risk include the states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, where infrastructure and people may face damage due to the Storm Alberto’s impact.
The Texas coast is expected to face dangerous surf and rip current conditions due to swells generated by Alberto. Coastal and inland areas might experience power outages and property damage due to the Storm Alberto’s high winds and heavy rainfall.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an exceptionally active hurricane season, with up to 25 named storms expected.
This season is forecasted to be one of the most active on record with an 85% chance of being above average. Up to 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes are possible.
A separate system of showers and thunderstorms could bring much-needed rain to parts of the Southeast including Florida, Alabama and South Carolina.
This system might develop into another tropical storm named Beryl. Record Heat in the Midwest and Northeast: While Texas braces for Alberto, the Upper Midwest and Northeast are experiencing record-breaking heat with temperatures nearing 100 degrees in some areas.
As of 5 p.m. EDT, Alberto is situated 305 miles south-southeast of Brownsville, Texas. The Storm Alberto is expected to make landfall on Mexico’s northeastern coast and weaken as it moves inland, dissipating by Thursday night.
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In Texas, rainfall has already been recorded. Surfside Beach, located about 40 miles south of Galveston, has seen water levels rise beneath elevated houses and roads submerged in water.
Roads have been flooded in the Houston area and city officials are bracing for more heavy rain and flooding.
Reports indicate property damage on North Padre Island and flooding on South Padre Island, where residents have been issued sandbags to tackle flood damage.
Emergency services have evacuated residents in flooded areas and rescued individuals trapped in vehicles. In Mexico, preparations are underway to handle the rainfall and flooding.
Authorities are monitoring dams, rivers and drainage systems to prevent flooding. Temporary shelters have been established and electricians have been deployed to address power outages.
Some Mexican states see the rainfall as a respite amid a water crisis and intense heat, with the storm’s rains offering relief from drought conditions.
Tropical Storm Alberto has maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour. Tropical-force winds extend up to 415 miles from the storm’s center.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has activated emergency management resources including high-water boats and helicopters and declared a severe-weather disaster for 51 counties.
Houston has prepared more than 300 police officers trained in water rescues and equipped with high-water trucks and boats.
The city is also focusing on ensuring the safety of nursing home residents and those in independent living facilities.
Mexican authorities have set up temporary shelters and are readying response teams to deal with power outages and flooding.
Over 1,500 electricians have been positioned in states expected to face the brunt of the storm.
Southern Texas and northeastern Mexico are forecasted to receive five to ten inches of rain, with some areas experiencing up to 20 inches.
The heavy rainfall is expected to cause flash and urban flooding, along with river flooding and mudslides in higher terrain areas of Mexico.
The National Weather Service has issued tornado warnings for counties near Corpus Christi with tornado watches in effect for much of Texas south of San Antonio.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be more active than usual, with expectations of 17 to 25 named storms, which is above the average of 14.
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