Tropical Storm Alex

Tropical Storm Alex (briefly Hurricane Alex) inaugurates the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Forming on June 25th, it developed from a tropical wave to a tropical storm in the Caribbean, sruck Belize, and moved into the Gulf of Mexico. On June 30th, it was upgraded to a Category 2 Hurricane as it made landfall in northeastern Mexico. As it traveled over rough Mexican terrain, it has been downgraded back to Tropical Storm Alex. Alex is the first hurricane to strike in June since 1995 with Hurricane Alice. And only 11 hurricanes have struck in June since 1944.

Rick Perry had declared a state of disaster in 19 counties along the coast and President Barack Obama also declared a state of emergency, freeing federal funds for 25 counties in Texas. Officials have now opened and closed three hurricane shelters, and South Padre Island residents were given the option to evacuate. At least 1,000 people sought shelter in Cameron and Hidalgo counties. Southern Texas experienced the "dirty side" of the storm which resulted in heavy rainfall, high winds, tornadoes and massive flooding. Although the storm did not pass near the site of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, it caused delays in the increase of oil capture from the leak.