Alberto Wanes As It Hits Florida

Alberto, the first named storm of the 2006 Hurricane Season, appears less likely to cause severe damage as it passes the Florida coastline.

The tropical storm came ashore around mid-afternoon east of Tallahassee, Fla., on Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The NHC downgraded its warnings to tropical storm status from hurricane warnings when Alberto weakened as it moved inland.

The storm was moving toward the northeast at approximately 10 miles per hour, and had maximum sustained winds blowing at approximately 45 miles per hour, the NHC said, as it neared Florida.

To be classified a hurricane, a storm must have sustained maximum wind speed of at least 74 miles per hour. Alberto reached wind speeds of 70 mph yesterday as it churned through the Gulf toward Florida when hurricane warnings were issued.

The most potentially damaging aspect of the storm is coastal flooding, which the NHC said could reach as high as 5-to-7 feet above normal tide levels on some areas east and south of where the center of the storm made landfall.

Early reports were of some coastal flooding of roadways, but nothing more significant. The storm did bring welcomed rains to the state where wildfires have raged due to drought conditions.

Despite Alberto's not strengthening to hurricane levels, Florida's government reacted swiftly. Governor Jeb Bush declared a state of emergency to activate the state's National Guard units and ordered some evacuations. Additionally, Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty approved the suspension of some rules governing the refilling of prescriptions to allow for emergency refills.

State Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher cautioned homeowners to be equally wary.

“Our experience over the past two years has highlighted the urgency of being prepared,” Mr. Gallagher said. “Take steps now to prepare and to protect your family and home.”