Storm Alberto damage in pictures: Latest as subtropical depression tracks north of Florida
STORM Alberto, a subtropical depression barrelling through the southern US states, is tracking north of Florida after claiming the lives of two reporters on Monday. Here are the latest pictures of the damage caused by Storm Alberto.
Two WYFF News 4 journalists died on Monday after Storm Alberto toppled a tree onto their SUV, officials from the NBC affiliated TV station confirmed.
News anchor Mike McCormick and photojournalist Aaron Smeltzer were covering Storm Alberto’s raging arrival in Polk County, central Florida, when the tragedy struck.
The subtropical storm made landfall near Laguna Beach in Florida, about 15 miles west-northwest of Panama City, churning away with winds of up to 45mph.
Storm Alberto was downgraded to a subtropical depression on Monday night but authorities at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned widespread risk of flooding and heavy rain remains.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper urged all local residents to heed safety warnings from officials.
He said: “Two journalists working to keep the public informed about this storm have tragically lost their lives, and we mourn with their families, friends and colleagues.
“North Carolina needs to take Alberto seriously.
“I urge everyone to keep a close eye on forecasts, warnings and road conditions, especially in western North Carolina where even heavier rain is predicted through Tuesday.”
Subtropical Storm Alberto hits the Florida Panhandle
As of 10pm Eastern Time on Monday, the eye of the storm has moved into Alabama and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasters expect Alberto to track north for two days before turning northeast.
Heavy flooding associated with Storm Alberto has already afflicted coastal regions in Cuba where local news agencies shared images of streets submerged under water.
In the town of Zaza del Medio, central Cuba, a bridge over the river Zaza was collapsed and washed away by heavy rain.
Elsewhere in Cuba, the National Highway was cut off by flooding, forcing authorities to stop all traffic at a section of the road in the Villa Clara province.
On Monday evening nearly 7,000 Florida residents were left without access to electricity the Florida Division of Emergency Management said.
The centre of Alberto will move over central and northern Alabama through this morning
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urged locals to “steer clear” of flood waters.
The agency warned upwards of six inches of water is enough for drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
FEMA said: “Never drive on flooded roads. Almost half of flood deaths happen in vehicles.”
Storm Alberto is now forecast to produce between two to six inches of rain from Alabaman northward into the southern Great Lakes and from north Florida to the southern Appalachians by Thursday.
Isolated areas of heavy rainfall in Florida could also produce up to 12 inches of rainfall which could lead to dangerous flash flooding.
The NHC forecast said: “On the forecast track, the centre of Alberto will move over central and northern Alabama through this morning.
“The system is forecast to move over the Tennessee Valley later today and into the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Maximum sustained winds are near 30mph (45kmh) with higher gusts.”