Alberto expected to make landfall Monday

The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Subtropical Storm Alberto, gained strength as it approached the northern Gulf Coast, emptying out beaches in Florida ahead of Memorial Day. But the storm still poses a considerable threat to the Florida Panhandle as it is predicted to move ashore there on Monday.

About 130 to 250 millimetres of rain are possible along affected areas in eastern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, western Tennessee and the western Florida Panhandle.

In addition to parts of the southeastern US, the heavy rains and storm conditions could produce “life-threatening flash floods and mudslides” in Cuba, the NHC said. Landfall was expected later Monday. However, once Alberto is inland and deprived of the warm waters that fuel tropical weather systems, the storm was expected to steadily weaken.

Tropical rains continue into the middle parts of the work week as well with remnants of Alberto impacting the Commonwealth. “Hazardous storm surge is possible along portions of the central and eastern Gulf Coast beginning Sunday”.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for an area stretching from Florida’s Suwannee River to the border of Alabama and Mississippi. Parts of Florida, Georgia and Alabama could get from 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) with some areas receiving as much as a foot of rain. As it moves northward, we will see some storms moving into our area late afernoon.

Some tourists said the rainy weather would not dampen their vacations.

Jason Powell said he was seeking to keep his children entertained until Alberto blows through his Florida Panhandle vacation spot.

The weather service lists the rain chances as 100 percent Tuesday and 80 percent Tuesday night. Just because it’s “nice and sunny” after the storm passes, Medlin said, there’s still a risk for swimmers.

Rhumes said they’ve already prepared for the storm by stocking up on groceries. Red flags flew on Alabama beaches and officers patrolled, making sure no one entered the water.

Rain is forecast for all of Northwest Florida through Tuesday morning.

The last time a named storm made landfall in this area was Tropical Storm Claudette in August 2009.

“People have drowned by going out to the water too soon”, he said. An Air Force hurricane hunter aircraft found stronger winds in Alberto of about 65 miles per hour Sunday night. The season is likely to be “near or above normal,” according to the NHC.

Alberto comes after a series of deadly hurricanes in the United States and Caribbean a year ago that walloped places including Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, causing hundreds of billions of dollars in damage, massive power outages and devastation to hundreds of thousands of structures.