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Tropical Storm Warnings issued along parts of Gulf Coast ahead of Alberto

ATLANTA — Tropical storm warnings and watches have been issued along parts of the Gulf Coast, stretching from Mississippi to Florida, as Subtropical Storm Alberto continues to gain strength in the Gulf of Mexico.

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The governors of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida have issued states of emergency ahead of the storm, which is expected to officially make landfall Monday.

Alberto’s effects will be felt across north Georgia with heavy rain expected by Monday.

"For most of us, it won't be until late Sunday evening that the showers begin to move in from the south. All thanks to Subtropical Storm Alberto," said Severe Weather Team 2's Katie Walls.

The storm currently has sustained winds of about 40 mph, with gusts upwards of about 50 mph and it is moving north at about 13 mph.

The impact this system will have on your Memorial Day weekend, on Channel 2 Action News Sunday AM starting at 6 a.m.

“It will continue to dump torrential amounts of rain across Florida with upwards of one foot of rain expected in parts,” Walls said.

The storm is expected to make landfall Monday, likely as a subtropical or tropical storm with sustained winds of about 65 mph.

“It will be strong, but I’m not worried about it becoming a hurricane at this point,” Walls said. “My primary concerns are along the coastlines who will see upwards of 15 inches of rainfall, also two-four feet of storm surge along the Gulf Coast. Rip currents will be a concern as well.”

Across north Georgia, we’re going to see a lot of rainfall. Walls said the remnants of Alberto will reach the metro area by late Sunday evening and will continue into Monday. Those remnants will continue for at least another couple of days.

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“As Alberto dissipates and continues north, it will dump a lot of rain across the Southeast,” Walls said.

Showers will be hit-or-miss throughout the day Sunday, but after sunset, Walls expects the effects of Alberto to start impacting the metro area.

Walls said the potential of flooding from this storm will be high.

From Sunday even into midweek, “We are expecting widespread two-four inches, with isolated spots with upwards of five inches. That’s on top of the saturated ground we already have,” Walls said.

Because of that already saturated ground, Walls said there is a good possibility that weak or dead trees could come down.

For Sunday, Walls said there is a 40 percent chance of rain but that will chance increases to about 80 percent as we move into Monday.

Walls said those rains chances will likely remain through at least Thursday.

Tracking subtropical storm Alberto

UPDATE ON ALBERTO: Several states have declared a state of emergency as Alberto continues to gain strength in the Gulf of Mexico. Severe Weather Team 2's Katie Walls is taking your questions NOW on the storm's impact here in Georgia.

Posted by WSB-TV on Saturday, May 26, 2018