Tropical Storm “Alberto” makes landfall in Tampico, Mexico, causing flooding and fatalities

Tropical Storm “Alberto” made landfall near the Mexican city of Tampico, Tamaulipas, shortly after 09:00 UTC on June 20, 2024, with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h (50 mph). The storm brought heavy rains, causing widespread coastal flooding in Mexico, where at least 3 people lost their lives. In the United States, Alberto caused a significant storm surge in Texas and Louisiana even before making landfall in Mexico.

Alberto formed on the morning of June 19, 2024, in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico as the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center forecasted maximum rainfall totals of 508 mm (20 inches) in the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas ahead of landfall.

Authorities in Mexico prepared for the storm by setting up temporary shelters and deploying over 1 500 electricians to respond to potential power outages in the states expected to be hardest hit.

Local emergency services in Nuevo Leon confirmed three fatalities on June 20: a teenager who drowned in river currents outside Monterrey and two minors electrocuted while crossing a pond in contact with a live cable.

Despite the devastation, some areas welcomed the storm’s arrival due to ongoing water crises and heat waves. “We are waiting for these rains, which are going to be very beneficial,” said Luis Gerardo González, the Tamaulipas state civil protection coordinator, in a radio interview.

In the United States, the National Weather Service reported significant rainfall in South Texas, with Rockport recording 242.6 mm (9.55 inches). Rainfall amounts in South Texas and northeast Mexico were projected to range from 127 to 254 mm (5 to 10 inches), with localized spots experiencing higher amounts.

In Surfside, early Wednesday evening saw rain totals nearing 101.6 mm (4 inches), prompting evacuations. Search and rescue teams found two women stranded in a car submerged in water. Galveston saw several Juneteenth events rescheduled due to flooded streets, while Jamaica Beach closed most streets to traffic.

Ahead of the storm, Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated emergency management resources, including high-water boats and helicopters with hoist capabilities, and declared a severe weather disaster for 51 counties. Property damage was reported on North Padre Island due to collapsed coastal bulkheads, and South Padre Island officials distributed free sandbags to residents and businesses. In Corpus Christi, two people were rescued after their cars were submerged in floodwaters.

By 15:00 UTC, Alberto was downgraded to a tropical depression, moving west at 30 km/h (18 mph). Maximum sustained winds were near 55 km/h (35 mph) with higher gusts, and the system was expected to dissipate over Mexico later in the day.

Additional rainfall totals in southern Texas are expected to be generally 25 mm (1 inch) or less. Heavy rainfall will continue in northeast Mexico, with totals of 127 to 254 mm (5 to 10 inches), and maximum totals of around 508 mm (20 inches) possible in the higher terrain of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas.

The combination of storm surge and tide will flood normally dry areas near the coast.

Water levels could reach 0.6 to 1.2 m (2 to 4 feet) above ground in areas including Sargent to Sabine Pass, Galveston Bay, and the Mouth of the Rio Grande to Sargent, and 0.3 to 0.9 m (1 to 3 feet) in areas including Sabine Pass to Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line, Louisiana. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle and can vary greatly over short distances.

Gusty winds are possible in portions of southern Texas and northern Mexico through the evening.

Swells generated by Alberto will affect the coast of Texas and northeastern Mexico through Friday, causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

According to CSU meteorologist Philip Klotzbach, Alberto is the ‘latest 1^st Atlantic named storm formation since 2014, although still slightly ahead of the long-term average of 20 June.’

References:

¹ Tropical Storm Alberto weakens over northeast Mexico after heavy rains killed 3 – AP – June 20, 2024

² Tropical Depression Alberto – Advisory Number 12 – NWS/NHC – 1000 AM CDT Thu Jun 20 2024

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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