Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency Saturday morning as Subtropical Storm Alberto “reforms over the southeastern the Gulf of Mexico,” the National Hurricane Center said.
The declaration covers all 67 Florida counties, according to the governor’s statement.
“As we continue to monitor Subtropical Storm Alberto’s northward path toward Florida, it is critically important that all Florida counties have every available resource to keep families safe and prepare for the torrential rain and severe flooding this storm will bring,” Scott said in a statement.
This morning, I have declared a state of emergency across FL to ensure our state has the resources they need to keep their families safe and prepare for the torrential rain and severe flooding Subtropical Storm Alberto will bring. https://t.co/8yK1qdB5eD
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) May 26, 2018
Alberto is moving north at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph as of the 11 p.m. Saturday advisory, according to the National Hurricane Center. A tropical storm warning has been issued for coastal Lee and Charlotte Counties as Alberto moves along in the Gulf.
5/26: 820PM Latest Impacts for South Florida include Heavy rainfall, Hazardous Marine Conditions, Isolated Tornadoes and Gusty Winds #FLwx pic.twitter.com/lyi6ufFSPG
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) May 27, 2018
The storm is about 120 miles west-southwest of the Dry Tortugas in the Florida Keys, and approximately 400 miles south of Apalachicola, FL.
Heavy rain is expected to affected western Cuba, Florida and the northeastern Gulf coast throughout the weekend, the National Hurricane Center said. Up to 10 inches of rain is possible in some areas of South Florida, although most areas will see three to four inches of rain through the weekend on average.
“On the forecast track, the center of Alberto is expected to move through the Yucatan Channel today and track across the Gulf of Mexico Saturday night through Monday,” the National Hurricane Center said.
A storm surge watch is in effect from the Crystal River to the Mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the National Hurricane Center.
A tropical storm watch is in effect from Boca Grande to Anclote River, Aucilla River to Grande Isle, Lake Pontchartrain, and Lake Maurepas, the National Hurricane Center said.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Pinar del Rio, Cuba, and Dry Tortugas in the Florida Keys, according to the National Hurricane Center.
FLOODING CONCERNS IN CAPE CORAL
WINK News’ Oliver Redsten talked to neighbors about the possibility of local flooding. Watch in the clip below.
SWFL ROAD CONDITIONS
WINK News’ Nicole Valdes previews road conditions ahead of the heaviest rainfall overnight expected from Alberto.