Subtropical Storm Alberto is whipping around over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and may land on the Florida panhandle by sunrise on Memorial Day morning, according to weather experts.

The Governors of Florida, Mississippi and Alabama declared states of emergencies ahead of the first named storm of the 2018 tropical season.

AccuWeather said Alberto is becoming more organized as it hovers in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and is gaining strength.

Flooding remains the greatest concern and in Mississippi, Gov. Phil Bryant activated the National Guard.

Watches were issued for storm surges – life-threatening inundations from rising coastal waters moving inland – for a stretch of coastline between Crystal River, Florida, and the mouth of the Mississippi River.

If Alberto holds its northward heading, the storm could move inland around Apalachicola, Florida, or other communities across western Apalachee Bay as early as Sunday night.

“There is the risk that Alberto stalls near the coast on Monday and struggles to move inland,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey. “That would delay Alberto’s move inland to as late as Tuesday morning.”

Alberto remains below hurricane strength, but is still expected to gust into the Florida Panhandle with 40-50 mph winds, which could spin up a few isolated tornadoes.

The storm is expected to lead to power outages, tree damage and compromise weaker structures.

Duffey said the storm is expected to remain relatively mild.

“The chance of Alberto reaching hurricane strength is low,” he said.

Florida authorities urged residents to take the storm seriously and to organize water, food, medicines and other preparations.