Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a “disaster declaration” in anticipation of Tropical Storm Alberto, which he said is expected to ravage the southern half of the state.
He urged residence to seek guidance from state officials to ensure the safety and survival of their family and loved ones. The order was issued to 51 counties across the state as Alberto traverses through the Gulf of Mexico. “As Tropical Storm Alberto moves through the Gulf Coast, I issued a severe weather disaster declaration for 51 counties to ensure Texans and at-risk regions have the resources and personnel needed to respond to this storm,” Abbott wrote on X.
“Texas is working closely with local officials and emergency response personnel to deploy all necessary assistance as heavy rainfall, tropical storm winds and coastal flooding affects southern Texas communities and the coastal bend. I urge Texans to remain weather aware and seek guidance from state and local officials.”
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READ MORE: Tropical Storm Alberto warnings for Texas as millions brace for flooding amid state of emergency
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The Weather Channel)
Residents of Aransas, Atascosa, Bandera, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, DeWitt, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, Fort Bend, Frio, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Harris, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jefferson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kenedy, Kinney, Kleberg, LaSalle, Lavaca, Live Oak, Matagorda, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Nueces, Orange, Real, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Uvalde, Val Verde, Victoria, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, Wilson, Zapata, and Zavala counties are included in the governor’s declaration.
If the circumstances call for it, more counties may be added, he said.
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HANDOUT/AFP via Getty Images)
The National Weather Service predicts that Tropical Storm Alberto will hit Southeast Texas, the Coastal Bend, and South Texas with strong winds and torrential rains. Much of the Texas coast is predicted to experience persistent coastal flooding throughout the course of the week.
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“Several hazards will be felt over South Texas through Thursday due to the large extent and slow movement of this system,” the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi warned.
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The Weather Channel)
A tropical storm warning has been issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Texas coast, extending from San Luis Pass south to the mouth of the Rio Grande River. Three platoons of the Texas National Guard, comprising around 40 soldiers, 20 vehicles, and Chinook helicopters, have been activated by Gov Abbott.
Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean is expected to be particularly busy, with storms forming in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico joining Alberto as the first named storm.
Additionally, Alberto signifies a season that began exceptionally late—not this late since 2014. On June 30, that year, the first storm of the season, Arthur, formed.
Forecasters estimate that Alberto will bring between 5 and 10 inches of rain over South Texas and northeast Mexico. The higher terrain in the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, and Coahuila may receive up to 20 inches.