Lives Claimed In Mexico As Tropical Storm Alberto Enters Texas

Mexico and Texas are beginning to experience the real effects of Tropical Storm Alberto as deaths are confirmed from the storm. As the first named storm of the North Atlantic hurricane season, Alberto made a dramatic entrance, hitting the Mexican coast and leaving a trail of destruction.

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Three people have sadly lost their lives in Nuevo León state, Mexico, with two of the victims being minors. The storm, which struck on Thursday, has since weakened into a depression but continues to cause havoc.

Southern Texas has not been spared, with heavy rains drenching the region. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) had earlier issued warnings about "life-threatening" flooding in both Mexico and Texas. In Southside, near Houston, the storm's downpour prompted evacuations after dumping at least 4 inches of rain.

Governor Greg Abbott has declared a disaster, signaling the potential for widespread property damage, injuries, and loss of life. This declaration underscores the seriousness of the situation as Texas braces for further impacts.

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Alberto's maximum sustained winds reached 50 mph but remained below hurricane strength. Despite this, the storm's influence has been significant, especially with the already high temperatures across much of the continent. This extreme weather has exacerbated the conditions, with millions of Americans under heat warnings and wildfires raging in states like California and New Mexico.

The NHC has forecasted an intense hurricane season, predicting up to seven major hurricanes, more than double the usual number. Contributing factors include record-high sea surface temperatures and shifts in weather patterns. While climate change doesn't necessarily increase the number of hurricanes, it does intensify their power and the amount of rainfall they bring.

As Texas deals with the immediate effects of Alberto, residents and officials alike are preparing for what could be a challenging hurricane season ahead.