Tropical Storm Alberto blamed for several deaths as it nears Texas and Mexico

Tropical Storm Alberto rumbled toward northeast Mexico early Thursday as the first named storm of the season, carrying heavy rains that left at least three people dead but also brought hope to a region suffering under a prolonged, severe drought.

The storm is expected to get to Mexico's Gulf coast Thursday morning, then rapidly weaken over land and dissipate later in the day, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Rain from Alberto was falling on both sides of the border, extending up much of the south Texas coast and south to Mexico's Veracruz state.