A large section of the Gulf Coast, including Lake Pontchartrain and metro New Orleans, is now under a tropical storm watch as Alberto looms.
The watch extends from Indian Pass, Florida westward to Grand Isle and also includes Lake Maurepas.
A storm surge is now in effect from Horseshoe Beach, Florida westward to the mouth of the Mississppi.
There are also flash flood watches in effect through Saturday.
The subtropical storm, as of Friday afternoon, was lazily moving east after sitting in the Caribbean near the Yucatan Peninsula for most of the day. Maximum winds remained at 40 miles per hour.