A woman crosses a street flooded by heavy rains from Tropical storm Alpha in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Tropical Storm Alpha, following on the heels of brutal Hurricane Wilma, has caused at least 12 deaths in Haiti.

Officials announced the deaths Tuesday, as Alpha weakened into a tropical depression and drifted out to sea.

Alpha's rains caused floods and mudslides in Haiti that cut off roads and swept houses and people away. In addition to the 12 deaths, officials say an uncertain number of people are missing. They also predict the death toll could rise as emergency workers search remote areas.

Alpha became the 22nd named storm of 2005, which is now the most prolific hurricane season on record.

Earlier this month, the island of Hispaniola bore the assault from Hurricane Wilma.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.