The first named storm of hurricane season 2024 formed on Wednesday and made landfall Thursday morning. Tropical Storm Alberto formed in the Gulf of Mexico and dumped rain on Texas as it moved towards land, bringing torrential rain, flooding and mudslides to Northern Mexico.
Alberto began moving inland around 7am Thursday morning and is weakening, but still packing winds of up to 45 mile per hour. Mexico has reported three deaths as a result of the storm. Texas experienced heavy rain—up to 10 inches in some areas—and storm surge along the coast.
Storm surge in areas around Houston and Galveston ranged between three and six feet. While Louisiana did not see major rainfall from the storm, the coastal town of Grand Isle experienced flooding—up to a foot deep on roadways—due to storm surge. The above-normal tides along the coasts of Mexico, Texas and western Louisiana have already peaked, and will slowly subside by Friday as Alberto dissipates.
Alberto is the first named storm in what is expected to be a very busy hurricane season. The season is progressing right on track, as the first storms usually form by June 20. Conditions, including warm Gulf waters, are prime conditions for tropical development.
"Abnormally warm waters and a pocket of relatively low wind shear located in the Bay of Campeche allowed for Alberto to gain enough organization on Wednesday to be upgraded to tropical storm status," said AccuWeather Meteorologist and Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva in a statement.
Another system in the southwest Gulf area is being monitored for possible development later this week, with effects including winds, heavy rain and more storm surge potentially impacting the U.S. early next week.