Tropical Storm Claudette (1979)
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1979 Atlantic hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Claudette was a 1979 tropical cyclone which was the third-wettest tropical cyclone on record in the contiguous United States. The storm caused significant flooding in eastern Texas and western Louisiana in July 1979. The eighth tropical cyclone and third named storm of the 1979 Atlantic hurricane season, Claudette developed from a tropical wave located east of the Windward Islands on July 16. It gradually strengthened and was upgraded to a tropical storm on July 17 and crossed the northern Leeward Islands later that day. As it neared landfall in Puerto Rico early on July 18, upper-level winds weakened it back to a tropical depression. Claudette remained disorganized and the National Hurricane Center operationally reported that it degenerated back into a tropical wave after crossing Puerto Rico. Late on July 18, the depression struck Dominican Republic, emerged into the Caribbean Sea on the following day. Claudette struck western Cuba on July 21, shortly before reaching the Gulf of Mexico and "regenerating" into a tropical cyclone. By July 23, Claudette regained tropical storm intensity and turned northward toward the Gulf Coast of the United States. The storm made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border late on July 23 as a moderately strong tropical storm. It weakened slowly and drifted over land, lasting until dissipation in West Virginia on July 29.
In the Lesser Antilles, the storm brought heavy rainfall and gusty winds to several islands. Minor flooding occurred in Guadeloupe and Saint Croix. Rainfall exceeding 10 inches (250 mm) in some areas of Puerto Rico led to widespread agricultural damage, flooded homes and streets, and one fatality; losses were estimated at $750,000 (1979 USD). Despite its passage over Hispaniola and Cuba, impact in both regions is unknown. Claudette brought record-breaking rainfall to eastern Texas. In Alvin, 42 inches (1,100 mm) of rain fell in one day, which at one point was the record 24‑hour precipitation amount for any location in the United States. Significant coastal flooding and up to 15 inches (380 mm) of rainfall was reported in Louisiana. Overall, Claudette was responsible for two deaths and $400 million (1979 USD) in damage.
Meteorological history
A tropical wave, the strongest of the season at mid-tropospheric levels, emerged into the Atlantic in the second week of July. In Dakar, Senegal, winds were as high as 100 mph (155 km/h) in the 550 mbar (16 inHg) level of the atmosphere. The wave tracked westward and slowly organized.[1] It is estimated that a tropical depression developed after a surface circulation became evident at 1200 UTC on July 16.[2] Four hours later, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Five, which was centered about 400 miles (640 km) east of Guadeloupe.[3] The depression moved west-northwestward and approached the northern Lesser Antilles. On July 17, an Air Force reconnaissance aircraft flight reported sustained winds of 52 mph (84 km/h). As a result, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Claudette later that day.[1]
As the storm moved westward, it encountered wind shear, weakening it back to depression status when it hit
Impact
Tropical Storm Claudette killed 2 people and left $400 million (1979 USD, $1.1 billion 2005 USD).
Eastern Caribbean
In Fort-de-France, Martinique, 2.72 inches (69 mm) of rain fell in 24 hours, causing localized flooding. Another total of 1.77 inches (45 mm) was measured at the Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport. Precipitation amounts between 7 and 8 inches (180 and 200 mm) on Guadeloupe resulted in flooding between Pointe-à-Pitre and Grand Fonds. Only 0.49 inches (12 mm) of rain fell on Saint Barthélemy. Rainfall amounted to 2.3 inches (58 mm) on Antigua and wind gusts reached 52 mph (84 km/h), while precipitation totals reached 1.55 inches (39 mm) and gusts up to 46 mph (74 km/h) were reported on Barbuda. On Saint Kitts, rainfall peaked at 1.5 inches (38 mm) and wind gusts topped at 35 mph (56 km/h).[4]
In the
Claudette produced up to 10.12 inches (257 mm) of precipitation in Puerto Rico, which was recorded in municipality of
United States
Texas
Claudette produced torrential rains in both
Louisiana
Tides reached 4 feet (1.2 m) mean sea-level in Lake Charles, while seas were 3.9 feet (1.2 m) in Cameron. As a result, significant coastal flooding occurred. 8 miles (13 km) of Louisiana Highway 82 was either seriously damaged or destroyed, while 14 miles (23 km) of secondary roads were impacted in Cameron Parish. Several boats in the region capsized at the beaches. Seven homes and fishing camps were significantly damaged or destroyed by waves and strong winds in Johnson Bayou. At Constance Beach in Cameron Parish, up to 40 feet (12 m) of sand was eroded along a 1 mile (1.6 km) long section.[10]
Elsewhere
In Missouri, rainfall exceeded 5 inches (130 mm) in some areas. The James River overflowed near Springfield, trapping two elderly women in their home. Heavy rainfall in Farmington backed-up sewer drains, flooded basements, and blew-off large manhole covers. Flood water swept away a car in Ste. Genevieve, washed-out a portion of a sidewalk, and toppled fencing along a baseball field. At the Cover Wagon RV park in Waynesville, flooding damage was approximately $5,000. In Rolla, floodwaters between 3 and 4 feet (0.91 and 1.22 m) forced the evacuation of eight families, and washed out driveways. Cars, sheds, fences, kennels, and butane tanks were swept to other locations. Numerous roads were closed in Christian, Greene, and Taney Counties.[5]
As the remnants of Claudette moved inland, it dumped heavy rains across the
Aftermath
On July 28, 1979, then-President of the United States Jimmy Carter issued a disaster declaration for Texas, allowing the counties of Brazoria, Chambers, Dallas, Galveston, Jefferson and Orange to be eligible for government aid in order to recover from flooding.[13]
See also
- List of Texas hurricanes
- List of wettest tropical cyclones in Texas
- Other storms of the same name
- 2018 Kauai flood - a flash floodthat has an unverified peak 24 hour rainfall of 49.69 in (1,262 mm), which would break Claudette's record
- Hurricane Laura - a stronger storm that would take a similar path to Claudette
References
- ^ a b "Tropical Storm Claudette Preliminary Report". National Hurricane Center. 1979. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
- ^ "Tropical Storm Claudette July 1979 Best Track". National Hurricane Center. 1979. p. 1. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
- ^ Joseph Pelissier (July 16, 1979). "Tropical Depression Advisory". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
- ^ James Colon (August 16, 1979). "Tropical Storm Claudette". National Weather Service San Juan, Puerto Rico. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena" (PDF). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved October 20, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ [1] Archived 2019-05-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ David M. Roth (November 29, 2017). "Tropical Storm Claudette - July 16-31, 1979". Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- ^ Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Claudette (1979) Rainfall. Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
- ^ MountWashington.org Archived 2013-04-15 at archive.today
- ^ David Barnes Jr. (August 27, 1979). "Tropical Storm Claudette Report". National Hurricane Center. p. 4. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
- ^ NOAA Data
- ^ Kansas Water Publication
- ^ United States Department of Homeland Security. "Designated Counties: Texas Storms, Flash Floods". Federal Emergency Management Agency. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2012.