The inaugural tropical storm of the hurricane season, named Alberto, is poised to deliver severe flooding and high winds to Texas. Forming over the western Gulf of Mexico, Alberto was officially announced by the National Hurricane Center on Wednesday morning.
The storm is expected to unleash heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, and strong gusts along the Texas and northeastern Mexico coasts through Thursday. The National Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm warnings for the Texas coast, stretching from San Luis Pass to the mouth of the Rio Grande. Corpus Christi, in particular, could see between 10 to 15 inches of rain, prompting the state government to initiate a large-scale emergency response in anticipation of widespread flooding.
Reports from the National Weather Service office in Houston early Thursday morning indicated that coastal flooding had already begun as the storm's rain bands moved inland. "The disturbance is very large, with rainfall, coastal flooding, and wind impacts likely to occur far from the center along the coasts of Texas and northeastern Mexico," the National Hurricane Center stated in an update.
The storm's potential impact is not limited to the United States. Life-threatening mudslides are also expected in higher regions of northern Mexico, particularly around Monterrey and Ciudad Victoria.
In response to the approaching storm, Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed the state Division of Emergency Management to elevate the Texas State Emergency Operations Center to readiness level 2, which involves 24-hour operations. "As we prepare for severe tropical weather, Texas is activating all personnel and resources needed to support Texans and communities that will be potentially impacted by excessive rain and flooding," Abbott said.
Several state agencies have been mobilized in preparation for Alberto's impact. The Texas A&M Forest Service has deployed four teams consisting of 100 personnel and 24 vehicles. Additionally, the Texas National Guard has readied three platoons, comprising over 40 personnel and 20 vehicles, including Chinook helicopters.
The National Weather Service has advised residents in the affected areas to stock up on five to seven days' worth of food, water, and other essential supplies. The anticipation of severe flooding is compounded by a concurrent severe heatwave affecting 71 million people, with heat advisories and warnings in effect through Friday.
Alberto marks the first named storm in what forecasters predict will be an aggressive Atlantic hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center expects the storm's center to move inland over northeastern Mexico by Thursday morning. "Alberto is very large, with rainfall, coastal flooding, and wind impacts likely to occur far from the center along the coasts of Texas and northeastern Mexico," stated the forecast discussion.
