Tropical Storm Alberto (2024)

Tropical Storm Alberto was a broad but short-lived tropical cyclone that affected portions of Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana during June 2024. The first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Alberto originated on June 12 from a broad area of disturbed weather in the Gulf of Mexico. A few days later, a low-pressure area formed from the disturbance, over the Bay of Campeche. It would steadily coalesce, and despite not being a tropical cyclone yet, would be designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone One by the National Hurricane Center on June 17 due to its proximity to the coast. It eventually intensified into a tropical storm two days later, being named Alberto. Its formation marked the latest start to an Atlantic hurricane season since 2014.
The next day, Alberto peaked with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) before making landfall near Tampico, Tamaulipas. Despite being weak, Alberto was unusually broad, affecting Texas, Louisiana, and Northeastern Mexico throughout its lifetime. Four people died in Nuevo León due to its rainfall: one in Monterrey, one in El Carmen, and two in Allende. Another person died in Texas due to rip currents. Total damage is estimated at around USD$265 million.
On June 12, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted that an area of disturbed weather could form over the western Gulf of Mexico and possibly develop into a tropical cyclone. Several days later, early on June 17, a low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Campeche. Designated Invest 91L as it emerged off the Yucatán Peninsula, the low was spawned from a disturbance within the Central American Gyre. Though its thunderstorm activity was scattered, the invest began to grow better organized later that day and was designated Potential Tropical Cyclone One.
The system slowly organized over the following two days as it approached the Mexican coast, developing into Tropical Storm Alberto on June 19. Alberto steadily intensified throughout the day, ultimately attaining peak sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h), and a minimum central pressure of 992 mbar (29.29 inHg). Early the following morning, the system made landfall near Tampico, Tamaulipas, weakening to a tropical depression inland a few hours later. Rapidly weakening, it dissipated just nine hours later.
Upon the designation of Alberto as a potential tropical cyclone, at 21:00 UTC on June 17, a tropical storm watch was issued from Port O'Connor, Texas to Boca de Catan, Tamaulipas. Twelve hours later, the tropical storm watch was extended southward to Puerto de Altamira. Early on June 18, the portion of the tropical storm watch into Texas was upgraded to a tropical storm warning. About six hours later, the Mexican portion of the tropical storm watch was upgraded into a tropical storm warning. At 21:00 UTC that day, the tropical storm warning was extended northward to San Luis Pass. At 15:00 UTC on June 19, the tropical storm warning was extended southward to Tecolutla. These warnings were discontinued as Alberto moved inland at 15:00 UTC on June 20.
Ports in Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and Campeche were closed. In Tamaulipas, 333 shelters were opened.
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott placed 51 counties under disaster declarations in advance of Alberto. The governor activated three Texas National Guard platoons, consisting of 40 members, 20 vehicles, and Chinook helicopters. Classes and camps at Del Mar College were cancelled, as well as summer classes in Alice and Orange Grove. The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority, in coordination with the American Red Cross and the Corpus Christi Fire Department, offered voluntary evacuations on public buses at two collection stations. The Corpus Christi Fire Department also offered residents boat rides out of flooded areas. An American Airlines flight to Dallas and a United Airlines flight to Houston were delayed at the Corpus Christi International Airport. Amtrak's westbound Sunset Limited was cancelled between New Orleans, Louisiana, and San Antonio, Texas. The Salvation Army branch in McAllen opened their building as a public emergency shelter. Double red flags were hoisted at beaches in Brazoria County, signaling the closure of beaches to swimming. Beaches across Cameron County were also closed. Sandbags were used to protect unhatched sea turtle eggs in South Padre Island from rising water levels. A wind advisory was issued for parts of southeastern Louisiana.
Heavy rainfall from Alberto resulted in four deaths, all in Nuevo León: one in Monterrey due to La Silla River flooding, one in El Carmen, and two in Allende (the latter three were indirect electrocution deaths). Dam reservoirs in the Monterrey metropolitan area received significant fractions of their capacity as a result of the storm. La Boca Dam in Santiago Municipality opened its floodgates on June 20 as it was filled to 104% capacity. Flooding also washed out a segment of Fed. 40 between Monterrey and Saltillo, Coahuila. In Xalapa, 24 people were left homeless after days of flooding caused three buildings to collapse. As of October 2024, according to AON, damages in Mexico are at USD$140 million. However, the rainfall was also beneficial across the region and alleviated drought conditions.
Alberto produced heavy rainfall over Texas, mainly over the southern part of the state. Precipitation accumulations peaked at 10.5 in (267 mm) in Lamar. Tropical storm force winds were measured at several locations in Texas. A sustained wind of 54 mph (87 km/h) was observed at a maritime weather station on Baffin Bay. Over land, a wind speed of 47 mph (76 km/h) was observed on Padre Island within Kleberg County. Increased tides also occurred in Texas, peaking at 4.05 ft (1.2 m) at San Luis Pass. Storm surge in Galveston reached a height of 4 ft (1.2 m), marking the city's seventh-highest water level on record.
Alberto brought significant rainfall to the Galveston area, leading to freshwater flooding. Its winds caused a 2–4 feet (0.6–1 m) storm surge, inundating coastal communities between Galveston and Freeport. One person drowned at Galveston due to rip currents generated by the storm. South of there, between Portland and Gregory, US 181 was temporarily shut down due to downed power lines. Also, near Port Aransas, Mustang Island State Park was closed for storm debris cleanup, as was the USS Lexington Museum in North Beach, Corpus Christi. A sinkhole produced by the storm destabilized the foundation of a home on Padre Island. Several creeks overflowed their banks in Jim Wells County, resulting in flooding in the communities of Alice and Alfred. Additionally, an EF1 tornado touched down near Bellville, causing some property damage along its 2 mi (3.2 km) long path, and two EF0 tornadoes occurred near Rockport. Initially, Alberto was expected to relieve a three-year drought plaguing South Texas. However, soil absorbed most of the rainfall produced by the storm, allowing much less to runoff into reservoirs. A 5% increase in water levels was observed by drought monitors in the area nonetheless. Damage in Texas is estimated to be at USD$125 million.
Due to tides associated with Alberto, parts of Louisiana were placed under a coastal flood warning. Tides reached a maximum level of 2.91 ft (0.89 m) at the Freshwater Canal Lock observation station. Roads in Calcasieu, Cameron, and St. Bernard parishes were closed due to flooding. Tropical storm force wind gusts impacted parts of Louisiana, peaking at 41 mph (66 km/h) at the Lake Charles Regional Airport. Rainfall totals of up to 4.69 in (119.12 mm) were observed at Catfish Point. Storm surge also left several roads impassible in Hancock County, Mississippi. Double red flags were raised in Dauphin Island, Alabama, warning beachgoers to remain out of the water. Waves up to 5 ft (1.5 m) in height inundated Bienville Boulevard.