First 2006 Caribbean storm forms

First 2006 Caribbean storm forms

The first tropical storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season has been
formed off the coast of Cuba.

The US National Hurricane Center said the storm, named Alberto, had
maximum winds of 45 miles per hour (70km/h) and was expected to strengthen.

Heavy rain lashed Cuba, and there have been warnings of flash floods and
mudslides in Cuba, the Cayman Islands and western Florida.

The US hurricane season started on 1 June and lasts until 30 November.

The US Climate Agency says this year is expected to be "above normal"
but less active than last year.

Between 13 and 16 named storms have been predicted, of which four will
be "major storms" of category three or above.

At 0900 GMT, the depression was centred over the eastern Gulf of Mexico,
about 335 miles (540km) west southwest of Key West, the National
Hurricane Center said in an advisory.

Up to 30 inches (76cm) of rain could fall over the western half of Cuba,
it added, which could produce "life-threatening flash floods and mud
slides".

The 2005 season was the most destructive on record with 15 hurricanes
blamed for deaths of more than 1,300 people.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/americas/5067774.stm

Published: 2006/06/11 15:20:16 GMT