Tropical Storm Alberto rumbled ashore near Tampico, Mexico, early Thursday morning, carrying heavy rains that left three people dead. It's the first named storm of what is expected to be a busy hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Alberto is a "very large" storm with rainfall, coastal flooding, and wind impacts expected to occur far from the storm's center along the coasts of Texas and northeastern Mexico.
In Mexico's Nuevo Leon state, civil protection authorities reported three deaths linked to Alberto's rains.
They said one man died in the La Silla river in the city of Monterrey, the state capital, and that two minors died from electric shocks in the municipality of Allende. Local media reported that the minors were riding a bicycle in the rain.
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The hurricane center said the rainfall will likely produce considerable flash and urban flooding with 5 to 10 inches of rain falling across northeast Mexico and South Texas. Life-threatening flooding and mudslides are likely in and near higher terrain areas where up to 20 inches of rain are possible across the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas.
For Texas, moderate coastal flooding is likely along much of the Texas Gulf Coast through Thursday. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect along portions of the Texas coast south of San Luis Pass to the Rio Grande.
The U.S. National Weather Service said the main hazard for southern coastal Texas is flooding from excess rain. Eight inches of rain or more could fall by Saturday morning. On Wednesday, the NWS said, there is “a high probability” of flash flooding in southern coastal Texas. Tornadoes or waterspouts are possible.
Some slight strengthening is forecast for Wednesday before the center of Alberto reaches land on Thursday, the center said. “Rapid weakening is expected once the center moves inland, and Alberto is likely to dissipate over Mexico” on Thursday, the center said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts the hurricane season that began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30 is likely to be well above average, with between 17 and 25 named storms. The forecast calls for as many as 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes.
An average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven of them hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
A no-name storm earlier in June dumped more than 20 inches of rain on parts of South Florida, stranding numerous motorists on flooded streets and pushing water into some homes in low-lying areas.
ALBERTO'S DFW IMPACT
The system stayed well south of DFW, but though it could still bring scattered showers and thunderstorms to the area. Wednesday offers the best chance for rain.
The heaviest rain and highest rain totals will be found across South and Central Texas and along the Texas Gulf Coast, with upwards of two to five inches of rain possible.
