Tropical Storm Alberto, the first named storm of the 2006 hurricane season, caused flooding, sporadic power outages and cancellation of the Queen's Birthday celebrations in the Cayman Islands last weekend.

The local Meteorological Office told Cayman Net News that 8.7 inches of rain was dumped on Grand Cayman from Wednesday, 7 June to Monday 12, June 2006.

According to the weather office, the highest rainfall occurred between Thursday night and Friday morning when 3.54 inches of rainfall was recorded.

Last Friday, public schools were closed at midday while some businesses and government offices where shut down long before their 5:00 pm closing.

Several areas around Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands experienced flooding with motorists having to exercise extra precaution due to inclement weather.

Activities planned to observe the Queen's Birthday on Saturday including the parade and the Governor's Garden party were cancelled as heavy rains pelted the Islands.

There were power outages in some parts of Grand Cayman due mainly to the damage to a number of utility poles. Internet service was also affected over the weekend.  

Some residents have complained about loss of appliances as a result of fluctuation in electricity supply causing surges during the inclement weather.    

Local weather officials said that conditions would improve this week - both in wind speed and wave heights, which reached six feet high from the storm, which was formed off the coast of neighbouring Cuba.

The Spanish-speaking island experienced flooding and high winds before the storm headed for Florida on Tuesday, where it was expected to make landfall in its capital, Tallahassee.    

Alberto, now a hurricane, is moving along the southeast coast of the United States and is expected to reach the New York area on Friday.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration is predicting 13 to 16 named storms with eight to ten becoming hurricanes of which four to six could become major - that is category 3 strength or higher.