Tropical Storm Alberto Hits Texas, Mexico

As it intensified, Tropical Storm Alberto dumped significant rainfall on South Texas and is expected to cause flooding and high winds through Thursday.

Location: 295 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas

• Maximum sustained winds: 40 mph
• Movement: West at 9 mph
• Pressure: 995 MB

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that the system is large and expanding, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching up to 415 miles from its center.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for nearly the entire Texas coastline, from San Luis Pass near Galveston to the mouth of the Rio Grande. The NHC warns against focusing on the exact forecast track, as impacts will be felt far beyond the center of the storm.

Key Messages from the NHC:

• Large areas of Texas, northeastern Mexico and Central America will see heavy rainfall, causing flash floods, mudslides and river flooding.
• The Texas Coast is likely to experience moderate coastal flooding through midweek.
• Tropical storm conditions will start Wednesday in parts, bringing dangerous winds and potential tornadoes.
• Life-threatening surf and rip currents will affect the Texas and northeastern Mexican coasts through Thursday.

Potential Storm Surge:

• Sargent, TX, to Sabine Pass, TX: 2-4 feet
• Galveston Bay: 2-4 feet
• Mouth of Rio Grande, TX, to Sargent, TX: 1-3 feet
• Sabine Pass, TX, to Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line, LA: 1-3 feet

The deadliest impacts of storm surges occur when peak surges align with high tides.

Impacts and Areas Affected:

• Storm Surge: Inundation of normally dry areas near the coast due to rising waters.
• Rainfall: Flash and urban flooding, river flooding, and potential mudslides in northeast Mexico's higher terrain.
• Wind: Tropical storm-force winds within the warning area.
• Tornadoes: Possible tornado activity on Wednesday across southeast Texas and the Deep South.
• Surf: Life-threatening surf and rip currents along the Texas and northeastern Mexico coasts.

Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches:

• Warning: Tropical storm conditions expected within 36 hours.
• Watch: Possible sustained winds of 39-73 mph within 48 hours.

URL(s):

• https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutgloss.shtml#TROPCYC
• https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutgloss.shtml#SUBCYC
• https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutgloss.shtml#PTC