&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Alberto_1994-07-03_1430Z.png) Tropical Storm Alberto at peak intensity making landfall in western Florida on July 3 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | June 30, 1994 |
| Dissipated | July 7, 1994 |
| Tropical storm | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 65 mph (100 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 993 mbar (hPa); 29.32 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 33 total |
| Damage | $1.03 billion (1994 USD) |
| Areas affected | Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Georgia |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1994 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Tropical Storm Alberto produced extensive and destructive flooding over portions of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida in July 1994. The first named storm of the annual hurricane season, Alberto developed from a tropical wave over the northwestern Caribbean Sea on June 30. Initially a tropical depression, the system moved westward, before curving northwestward on July 1 and entering the Gulf of Mexico. Early on the following day, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Alberto. Alberto strengthened steadily over the Gulf of Mexico, and by midday on July 3, it peaked as a strong tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h). A few hours later, the cyclone made landfall near Destin, Florida, at the same intensity. The system quickly weakened to a tropical depression early on July 4. Thereafter, a high pressure system caused Alberto to drift over west-central Georgia and central Alabama, until the storm dissipated over Alabama on July 7.
In its early and precursor stages, Alberto produced about 10 in (250 mm) of precipitation on Cuba's Isla de la Juventud. Striking the Florida Panhandle as a strong tropical storm, the cyclone caused some erosion and wind damage. Additionally, freshwater flooding forced about 3,000 people to flee their homes. Damage in Florida totaled about $80 million. The storm generated heavy precipitation over much of southeastern Alabama. Floodwaters entered hundreds of homes each in Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, and Houston counties. Georgia experienced the worst effects from the storm. Up to 27.85 in (707 mm) of rain fell near Americus. Flooding resulted in the closure of approximately 1,000 bridges, while about 471,000 acres (191,000 ha) of croplands were inundated in Georgia alone. Throughout Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, approximately 18,000 businesses and homes suffered damage or destruction. Alberto was responsible for $1.03 billion in damages (1994 USD) and 33 deaths.