Tropical Depression Alberto, formerly the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, is bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and potential flooding to parts of Texas and Mexico. The system, which has already caused three fatalities in Mexico, was downgraded from a tropical storm to a tropical depression on Thursday morning.

With forecasts predicting as much as 20 inches of rain in certain areas of Mexico, authorities are hopeful that Alberto can bring some relief from drought conditions as it moves westward. Maps from the National Hurricane Center reveal the projected path of the storm as it slowly traverses across Mexico.

As of late Thursday morning, Alberto was located approximately 25 miles west of Tampico, Mexico, and 255 miles south of Brownsville, Texas. Rainfall was reported on both sides of the border. The storm, moving at a rate of about 13 miles per hour, is expected to continue inland throughout the day, with maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour.

The National Hurricane Center predicts that Tropical Depression Alberto will dissipate as it continues its movement across Mexico, possibly disappearing by Thursday or overnight. This downgrade to a tropical depression marks the first step in that process.

Due to the impact of the storm, a total of 51 counties in Texas have declared a state of disaster. The National Hurricane Center's maps display the extent of rainfall caused by Alberto in both Mexico and parts of Texas, with reports of flooded streets in the affected regions. However, conditions are expected to improve gradually throughout the day, particularly in Galveston and Corpus Christi.

The NHC forecasts that some regions near Tamaulipas in Mexico could experience rainfall amounts ranging from 12 to 16 inches. Wider areas, including parts of Veracruz and Oaxaca, are expected to receive up to four inches of rain.

In the United States, the highest levels of rainfall are anticipated near Laredo, Texas, with up to four inches expected. Other regions, such as Corpus Christi and San Antonio, may receive up to two inches of rainfall.

Texas is also preparing for storm surge and potential flooding. The NHC indicates that much of the state's border region and southeastern coast have a 5% or higher chance of flash flooding. In the Roswell area, the risk of flash flooding rises to 15%.

Furthermore, coastal areas are bracing for storm surge. The NHC predicts storm surge ranging from one to three feet between Sargent and the mouth of the Rio Grande. Similar storm surge is expected between Sabine Pass and the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line. Galveston Bay poses an even higher risk, with a projected storm surge ranging from two to four feet.

As Tropical Depression Alberto continues to affect the region, residents are urged to stay vigilant, follow safety guidelines, and heed any evacuation warnings or advisories.

(Note: The generated article contains revised sections from the provided information to ensure clarity and coherence.