World Crude Prices Plunged on Alberto Missing the Gulf

World crude oil prices fell sharply below $69 Tuesday as hurricane Alberto is expected to miss oil facilities in the Gulf area.

New York's light sweet crude futures for delivery in July, fell $1.80 to close at $68.56 a barrel.

In London, Brent North Sea crude for July delivery dropped $2 to $66.92 a barrel.

Over 20,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes along Florida's Gulf Coast as tropical storm Alberto threatens to come ashore Tuesday. Energy experts said Alberto was expected to miss Gulf oil platforms.

Forecasters said that the storm was centered about 150 kilometers south of Apalachicola, Florida on Monday evening and could come ashore as a Category 1 hurricane in western Florida on Tuesday.