Tropical Storm Alberto moves inland over northeast Mexico as season’s first named storm

TAMPICO, Mexico (AP) — Tropical Storm Alberto, the season's first named storm, rumbled ashore early Thursday and moved inland over northeast Mexico, bringing heavy rains to the parched region.

The storm was expected to weaken rapidly over land, but carry several inches of desperately needed rain inland to Mexico's Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon and Coahuila states, as well as south Texas.

Alberto had spurred tropical storm warnings covering most of the western Gulf of Mexico's coastline from Texas to Veracrus.

Schools were closed across Tamaulipas state where Alberto came ashore and would be through Friday.

Shelters were prepared across the state to receive residents trying to escape high water.

As much as five inches (13 centimetres) to 10 inches (25 centimetres) of rain was expected in some parts of northeast Mexico and southern Texas, with even higher isolated totals possible, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Some higher locations in Mexico could see as much as 20 inches (50 centimetres) of rain, which could result in mudslides and flash flooding, especially in the states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Nuevo Leon.

Alberto had rumbled toward northeast Mexico as the first named storm of the season, carrying heavy rains that left three people dead. But the storm also brought hope to a region suffering under a prolonged, severe drought.

Mexican authorities downplayed the risk posed by Alberto and instead pinned their hopes on its ability to ease the parched region's water needs.

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