Tropical Storm Alberto has formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, marking the first named storm of the forecasted busy hurricane season.
The storm is expected to make landfall in northern Mexico on Thursday, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the coasts of Texas and Mexico.
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The big picture: Concerns of potential flooding have prompted authorities to urge residents to heed alerts and prepare for the storm’s impact, expected to dissipate over Mexico on Thursday.
- The storm’s location was approximately 170 miles east of Tampico, Mexico, and about 305 miles south-southeast of Brownsville, Texas, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
- The National Hurricane Center warned of significant rainfall of 5 to 10 inches in some areas along the Texas coast, with even higher isolated totals possible, which could result in mudslides and flash flooding.
State of play: Precautionary measures such as school closures, opening of shelters, and advisories from the state and municipal civil protections have been put in place to mitigate the storm’s impact, particularly in the states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon.
- Tropical storm warnings have been issued for the Texas coast and the northeastern coast of Mexico, with rapid weakening and dissipation of the storm expected once it moves inland over Mexico.
What we’re watching: The hurricane season is forecasted to be well above average, with NOAA predicting between 17 and 25 named storms, as well as the likelihood of dangerous rip currents and coastal flooding from the storm.
