Tropical Storm Claudette (2009)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Claudette was the third named storm of the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season
and the first tropical cyclone of 2009 to affect the United States. Forming out of a tropical wave
and an upper-level low pressure system
on August 16, Claudette quickly intensified into a tropical storm offshore south of Tallahassee, Florida
. By the afternoon, the storm had attained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and steadily tracked towards the Florida Panhandle. Early on August 17, the center of Claudette made landfall
on Santa Rosa Island
. Several hours after landfall, the storm weakened to a tropical depression and the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
took over primary responsibility of the storm. Later on August 17, the final public advisory was issued on the system as it dissipated over Alabama
.
The National Hurricane Center
issued tropical storm warnings for the coastline and residents in some counties were advised to evacuate storm-surge
-prone areas. One fatality resulted from rough seas off the coast of Panama City, Florida
. Later that day, another man drowned after falling off his ship near Bay County. An EF-0 tornado
spawned by the storm in Cape Coral, Florida damaged 11 homes, leaving $103,000 (2009 USD) in damages. Additional damages to coastal property and beaches amounted to $125,000 (2009 USD) as a result of Claudette.
that moved off the west coast of Africa on August 7. On August 11, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring the wave when it was located roughly 600 mi (965 km) east of the Lesser Antilles
. Disorganized shower and thunderstorm
activity was associated with the westward moving wave; however, the NHC did not anticipate further development of the system. By the afternoon of August 12, little convective activity
remained with the wave. Strong upper-level wind shear
created an unfavorable environment for the system to re-organize as it tracked through the eastern Caribbean Sea
.
By August 15, convection began to consolidate around the center of the system as it passed over the Florida Keys
. Early on August 16, the system rapidly organized, with a low-level circulation developing roughly 80 mi (130 km) southwest of Tampa, Florida
. Favorable environmental conditions led to the NHC anticipating the system to develop into a tropical depression later that day. Several hours later, the first advisory was issued on Tropical Depression Four. Low wind shear provided an environment that promoted quick development of the cyclone and the storm was forecast to attain tropical storm status within 12 hours. The depression tracked northwest around the periphery of a subtropical
ridge
to the east. Around 11:00 am EDT, the NHC upgraded the depression to a tropical storm and gave it the name Claudette in light of information from the NEXRAD
Doppler weather radar
in Tallahassee, Florida
that found winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) around the center of circulation.
During the afternoon of August 16, a brief increase in wind shear due to a trough
over the southeastern United States, caused the center to become exposed. Despite this, Claudette attained its peak winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) around this time. Around 1:10 am EDT (0510 UTC) on August 17, the storm made landfall
near the eastern end of Santa Rosa Island
with winds of 45 mph (85 km/h). Shortly thereafter, the barometric pressure decreased to 1005 mbar (hPa; 29.68 inHg), the lowest pressure recorded in associated with the storm. Several hours after landfall, convection associated with the storm quickly decreased and by 8:00 am EDT, the NHC issued their final advisory on Claudette as it weakened to a tropical depression. At this time, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC) began issuing advisories on the system. The HPC issued their final advisory late on August 17 as the remnants of Claudette began to dissipate over Alabama. The remnants persisted for several more hours before becoming undetectable over Mississippi.
issued a tropical storm warning
for areas between the Alabama
-Florida
border and the mouth of the Suwanee River. Residents in these areas were urged to quickly prepare for the storm by ensuring their hurricane kit was fully stocked and ready. East of the center of Claudette, along western Florida, residents were warned about possible heavy rainfall that could cause flooding. Storm surge
near where the storm was forecast to make landfall was expected to reach 3 to 5 ft (0.9144 to 1.5 m). Residents in areas of Wakulla County
prone to storm surge were urged to evacuate before the arrival of the storm by the Wakulla County Emergency Management Office. Shortly after 3:00 pm EDT, the National Weather Service
in Mobile, Alabama
issued a tropical storm wind warning for areas between Destin, Florida
and Pascagoula, Mississippi
. A flood watch was also issued for most of the Florida Panhandle, as rainfall from Claudette was anticipated to exceed 7 in (177.8 mm). An inland tropical storm warning was also issued for most of southeastern Alabama.
During the afternoon of August 16, officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents in St. Joseph Peninsula State Park and Stone State Park on Cape San Blas in Gulf County, Florida
. Two shelters were opened in Bay County
, one at the Dean Bozeman High School and the other at Bozeman Learning Center. Voluntary evacuation orders were also given to residents living in low-lying areas along the coastline. Although no plans were put in place to open shelters, the Emergency Operations Center in Washington County
raised their activation level to stage two. In Franklin County
, the Emergency Operations Center was placed at stage three and voluntary evacuation orders were issued for Alligator Point. After an afternoon briefing, officials in Walton County declared a State of Emergency
based on available information on the storm. In Wakulla County, the American Red Cross
opened a shelter in Crawfordville
at a local church.
, a daily record of 3.57 in (90.7 mm) of rain fell on August 16, surpassing the previous record set in 1931. However, with an exception of a tree falling across U.S. Route 98, no damage was caused to Apalachicola. By the dissipation of the storm, a maximum of 5.62 in (142.7 mm) of rain fell in Big Coppitt Key
.
A tornado was reported near Cape Coral
and multiple tornado warnings were issued for Florida in association with rain bands from the storm. Twenty-three homes were damaged by the tornado in Cape Coral. Damages to 11 out of 23 of the homes from the tornado amounted to roughly $103,000. Florida Governor Charlie Crist
briefly toured the damage from the tornado. The tornado was later rated EF-0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale
with winds between 70 and 80 mph (110 and 120 km/h). The National Weather Service also stated that the tornado was on the ground for 0.35 mi (0.563269 km) between 4:42 pm and 4:45 pm EDT.
One drowning was reported off Panama City, Florida
. By the early evening, officials closed down a 1 mi (1.6 km) segment of Highway 20 due to a fallen tree and power line. In Leon County, a total of 440 residences lost power. By 9:40 pm EDT, the highway was reopened and power to all 440 homes was restored. Other power outages were reported near Parker
and in downtown Panama City
but power has been restored in the latter. Roughly 500 residences were left without power in Walton County
.
In Okaloosa County
, up to 1,267 residents lost power during the storm. Most of the residents had their power restored within a few hours; however, due to continuing wind damage, scattered power outages, affecting up to 500 homes at a time, occurred throughout the county. Throughout the county, roughly $25,000 was sustained in flood losses. A second fatality occurred after a man was knocked off his ship near the coast of Bay County. Rescuers managed to reach him but during the rescue, he fell off the life raft and was lost. The search was later called off as he was presumed dead.
Along the coastline, waves produced by Claudette resulted in the loss of 30 to 40 ft (9.1 to 12.2 m) of sand in coastal areas of Bay, Walton, Franklin and Gulf counties. An estimated $100,000 worth of sand was lost in all four counties. A maximum storm surge
of 2.3 ft (0.70104 m) was recorded in Destin
as the storm made landfall. In all, two people were killed throughout the state and damages amounted to $228,000.
due to the threat of heavy rainfall. In the state, Claudette produced widespread moderate rainfall, peaking at 2.11 in (53.6 mm) in Bradley. Some areas received up to 2 in (50.8 mm) in a two-hour span, prompting the National Weather Service to issue flash flood warnings. Flash flood watches were also issued for Hale
, Sumter
and Perry
counties. The remnants of Claudette created a very moist atmosphere in parts of Alabama, resulting in several days of afternoon thunderstorms. Some of these thunderstorms produced gusty winds, recorded up to 45 mph (75 km/h) in Jefferson County
. In Rainbow City
, lightning struck an apartment building, sparking a fire and leading to the evacuation of two units of the building. Damage from the fire was estimated at $20,000. In Georgia
, outer bands
of the storm also a maximum of 2.37 in (60.2 mm) at Fort Benning
.
2009 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season was a below-average year, unlike the 2009 Pacific hurricane season, which was above average, both due to a moderate El Niño. During this year, nine tropical storms formed, the fewest since the 1997 season.An average season has ten tropical storms, six hurricanes...
and the first tropical cyclone of 2009 to affect the United States. Forming out of a tropical wave
Tropical wave
Tropical waves, easterly waves, or tropical easterly waves, also known as African easterly waves in the Atlantic region, are a type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which move from east to west across the tropics causing areas of...
and an upper-level low pressure system
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
on August 16, Claudette quickly intensified into a tropical storm offshore south of Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
. By the afternoon, the storm had attained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and steadily tracked towards the Florida Panhandle. Early on August 17, the center of Claudette made landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
on Santa Rosa Island
Santa Rosa Island, Florida
Santa Rosa Island[p] is a 40-mile barrier island located in the U.S. state of Florida, thirty miles east of the Alabama state border...
. Several hours after landfall, the storm weakened to a tropical depression and the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center is one of nine service centers under the umbrella of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction , a part of the National Weather Service, which in turn is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. government...
took over primary responsibility of the storm. Later on August 17, the final public advisory was issued on the system as it dissipated over Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
.
The National Hurricane Center
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
issued tropical storm warnings for the coastline and residents in some counties were advised to evacuate storm-surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
-prone areas. One fatality resulted from rough seas off the coast of Panama City, Florida
Panama City, Florida
-Personal income:The median income for a household in the city was $31,572, and the median income for a family was $40,890. Males had a median income of $30,401 versus $21,431 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,830...
. Later that day, another man drowned after falling off his ship near Bay County. An EF-0 tornado
Enhanced Fujita Scale
The Enhanced Fujita Scale rates the strength of tornadoes in the United States based on the damage they cause.Implemented in place of the Fujita scale introduced in 1971 by Ted Fujita, it began operational use on February 1, 2007. The scale has the same basic design as the original Fujita scale:...
spawned by the storm in Cape Coral, Florida damaged 11 homes, leaving $103,000 (2009 USD) in damages. Additional damages to coastal property and beaches amounted to $125,000 (2009 USD) as a result of Claudette.
Meteorological history
Tropical Storm Claudette originated from a tropical waveTropical wave
Tropical waves, easterly waves, or tropical easterly waves, also known as African easterly waves in the Atlantic region, are a type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which move from east to west across the tropics causing areas of...
that moved off the west coast of Africa on August 7. On August 11, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring the wave when it was located roughly 600 mi (965 km) east of the Lesser Antilles
Lesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
. Disorganized shower and thunderstorm
Atmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
activity was associated with the westward moving wave; however, the NHC did not anticipate further development of the system. By the afternoon of August 12, little convective activity
Atmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
remained with the wave. Strong upper-level wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
created an unfavorable environment for the system to re-organize as it tracked through the eastern Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
.
By August 15, convection began to consolidate around the center of the system as it passed over the Florida Keys
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a coral archipelago in southeast United States. They begin at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, about south of Miami, and extend in a gentle arc south-southwest and then westward to Key West, the westernmost of the inhabited islands, and on to the uninhabited Dry...
. Early on August 16, the system rapidly organized, with a low-level circulation developing roughly 80 mi (130 km) southwest of Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
. Favorable environmental conditions led to the NHC anticipating the system to develop into a tropical depression later that day. Several hours later, the first advisory was issued on Tropical Depression Four. Low wind shear provided an environment that promoted quick development of the cyclone and the storm was forecast to attain tropical storm status within 12 hours. The depression tracked northwest around the periphery of a subtropical
Subtropical cyclone
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National...
ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
to the east. Around 11:00 am EDT, the NHC upgraded the depression to a tropical storm and gave it the name Claudette in light of information from the NEXRAD
NEXRAD
NEXRAD or Nexrad is a network of 159 high-resolution Doppler weather radars operated by the National Weather Service, an agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the United States Department of Commerce...
Doppler weather radar
Weather radar
Weather radar, also called weather surveillance radar and Doppler weather radar, is a type of radar used to locate precipitation, calculate its motion, estimate its type . Modern weather radars are mostly pulse-Doppler radars, capable of detecting the motion of rain droplets in addition to the...
in Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
that found winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) around the center of circulation.
During the afternoon of August 16, a brief increase in wind shear due to a trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
over the southeastern United States, caused the center to become exposed. Despite this, Claudette attained its peak winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) around this time. Around 1:10 am EDT (0510 UTC) on August 17, the storm made landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
near the eastern end of Santa Rosa Island
Santa Rosa Island, Florida
Santa Rosa Island[p] is a 40-mile barrier island located in the U.S. state of Florida, thirty miles east of the Alabama state border...
with winds of 45 mph (85 km/h). Shortly thereafter, the barometric pressure decreased to 1005 mbar (hPa; 29.68 inHg), the lowest pressure recorded in associated with the storm. Several hours after landfall, convection associated with the storm quickly decreased and by 8:00 am EDT, the NHC issued their final advisory on Claudette as it weakened to a tropical depression. At this time, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC) began issuing advisories on the system. The HPC issued their final advisory late on August 17 as the remnants of Claudette began to dissipate over Alabama. The remnants persisted for several more hours before becoming undetectable over Mississippi.
Preparations
Upon being classified a tropical depression, the National Hurricane CenterNational Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
issued a tropical storm warning
Tropical cyclone warnings and watches
Warnings and watches are two levels of alert issued by national weather forecasting bodies to coastal areas threatened by the imminent approach of a tropical cyclone of tropical storm or hurricane intensity. They are notices to the local population and civil authorities to make appropriate...
for areas between the Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
-Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
border and the mouth of the Suwanee River. Residents in these areas were urged to quickly prepare for the storm by ensuring their hurricane kit was fully stocked and ready. East of the center of Claudette, along western Florida, residents were warned about possible heavy rainfall that could cause flooding. Storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
near where the storm was forecast to make landfall was expected to reach 3 to 5 ft (0.9144 to 1.5 m). Residents in areas of Wakulla County
Wakulla County, Florida
Wakulla County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 22,863. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 28,212 people...
prone to storm surge were urged to evacuate before the arrival of the storm by the Wakulla County Emergency Management Office. Shortly after 3:00 pm EDT, the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
issued a tropical storm wind warning for areas between Destin, Florida
Destin, Florida
Destin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida. It is a principal city of the Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.Located on Florida's Emerald Coast, Destin is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters...
and Pascagoula, Mississippi
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Pascagoula is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States. It is the principal city of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, as a part of the Gulfport–Biloxi–Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. The population was 26,200 at the 2000 census...
. A flood watch was also issued for most of the Florida Panhandle, as rainfall from Claudette was anticipated to exceed 7 in (177.8 mm). An inland tropical storm warning was also issued for most of southeastern Alabama.
During the afternoon of August 16, officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents in St. Joseph Peninsula State Park and Stone State Park on Cape San Blas in Gulf County, Florida
Gulf County, Florida
Gulf County is a county located in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 13,332. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 13,975 . Its county seat is Port St. Joe.- History :...
. Two shelters were opened in Bay County
Bay County, Florida
Bay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 163,505 . Its county seat is Panama City, Florida. The county is best known for its white sand beaches and crystal blue water, where large pods of dolphins swim year-round...
, one at the Dean Bozeman High School and the other at Bozeman Learning Center. Voluntary evacuation orders were also given to residents living in low-lying areas along the coastline. Although no plans were put in place to open shelters, the Emergency Operations Center in Washington County
Washington County, Florida
Washington County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 20,973. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 22,299. Its county seat is Chipley, Florida...
raised their activation level to stage two. In Franklin County
Franklin County, Florida
Franklin County is a coastal county located in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 11,057. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 11,177...
, the Emergency Operations Center was placed at stage three and voluntary evacuation orders were issued for Alligator Point. After an afternoon briefing, officials in Walton County declared a State of Emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
based on available information on the storm. In Wakulla County, the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
opened a shelter in Crawfordville
Crawfordville, Florida
Crawfordville is an unincorporated community and county seat of Wakulla County, Florida, United States of America.It was named after Dr. John L. Crawford who lived in the community and was the town's doctor....
at a local church.
Florida
By the evening of August 16, upwards of 1.71 in (43.4 mm) of rain had fallen in parts of Franklin County. In ApalachicolaApalachicola, Florida
Apalachicola is a city in Franklin County, Florida, on US 98 about southwest of Tallahassee. The population was 2,334 at the 2000 census. The 2005 census estimated the city's population at 2,340...
, a daily record of 3.57 in (90.7 mm) of rain fell on August 16, surpassing the previous record set in 1931. However, with an exception of a tree falling across U.S. Route 98, no damage was caused to Apalachicola. By the dissipation of the storm, a maximum of 5.62 in (142.7 mm) of rain fell in Big Coppitt Key
Big Coppitt Key, Florida
Big Coppitt Key is a census-designated place and an unincorporated community in Monroe County, Florida, on an island of the same name in the lower Florida Keys. The CDP also includes the neighboring islands of Geiger Key and Shark Key. As of the 2000 census, it had a total population of 2,595. ...
.
A tornado was reported near Cape Coral
Cape Coral, Florida
Cape Coral is a municipality located in Lee County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico. Founded in 1957 and developed as a master-planned, pre-platted community, the city grew to a population of 154,305 by the year 2010. With an area of , Cape Coral is the largest city between Tampa and...
and multiple tornado warnings were issued for Florida in association with rain bands from the storm. Twenty-three homes were damaged by the tornado in Cape Coral. Damages to 11 out of 23 of the homes from the tornado amounted to roughly $103,000. Florida Governor Charlie Crist
Charlie Crist
Charles Joseph "Charlie" Crist, Jr. is an American politician who was the 44th Governor of Florida. Prior to his election as governor, Crist previously served as Florida State Senator, Education Commissioner, and Attorney General...
briefly toured the damage from the tornado. The tornado was later rated EF-0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale
Enhanced Fujita Scale
The Enhanced Fujita Scale rates the strength of tornadoes in the United States based on the damage they cause.Implemented in place of the Fujita scale introduced in 1971 by Ted Fujita, it began operational use on February 1, 2007. The scale has the same basic design as the original Fujita scale:...
with winds between 70 and 80 mph (110 and 120 km/h). The National Weather Service also stated that the tornado was on the ground for 0.35 mi (0.563269 km) between 4:42 pm and 4:45 pm EDT.
One drowning was reported off Panama City, Florida
Panama City, Florida
-Personal income:The median income for a household in the city was $31,572, and the median income for a family was $40,890. Males had a median income of $30,401 versus $21,431 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,830...
. By the early evening, officials closed down a 1 mi (1.6 km) segment of Highway 20 due to a fallen tree and power line. In Leon County, a total of 440 residences lost power. By 9:40 pm EDT, the highway was reopened and power to all 440 homes was restored. Other power outages were reported near Parker
Parker, Florida
Parker is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Parker is located at ....
and in downtown Panama City
Panama City, Florida
-Personal income:The median income for a household in the city was $31,572, and the median income for a family was $40,890. Males had a median income of $30,401 versus $21,431 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,830...
but power has been restored in the latter. Roughly 500 residences were left without power in Walton County
Walton County, Florida
Walton County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 40,601. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 50,324. Its county seat is DeFuniak Springs, Florida. The county is home to the highest natural point in Florida: Britton Hill, at .- History...
.
In Okaloosa County
Okaloosa County, Florida
Okaloosa County is a county located in the state of Florida. Located in northwest Florida, it extends from the Gulf of Mexico to the Alabama state line. As of the 2000 census, the population was 170,498. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 182,172. The 2009 estimate for the...
, up to 1,267 residents lost power during the storm. Most of the residents had their power restored within a few hours; however, due to continuing wind damage, scattered power outages, affecting up to 500 homes at a time, occurred throughout the county. Throughout the county, roughly $25,000 was sustained in flood losses. A second fatality occurred after a man was knocked off his ship near the coast of Bay County. Rescuers managed to reach him but during the rescue, he fell off the life raft and was lost. The search was later called off as he was presumed dead.
Along the coastline, waves produced by Claudette resulted in the loss of 30 to 40 ft (9.1 to 12.2 m) of sand in coastal areas of Bay, Walton, Franklin and Gulf counties. An estimated $100,000 worth of sand was lost in all four counties. A maximum storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
of 2.3 ft (0.70104 m) was recorded in Destin
Destin, Florida
Destin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida. It is a principal city of the Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.Located on Florida's Emerald Coast, Destin is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters...
as the storm made landfall. In all, two people were killed throughout the state and damages amounted to $228,000.
Elsewhere
Upon making landfall, flash flood watches were issued for parts of southern AlabamaAlabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
due to the threat of heavy rainfall. In the state, Claudette produced widespread moderate rainfall, peaking at 2.11 in (53.6 mm) in Bradley. Some areas received up to 2 in (50.8 mm) in a two-hour span, prompting the National Weather Service to issue flash flood warnings. Flash flood watches were also issued for Hale
Hale County, Alabama
Hale County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named in honor of Confederate officer Stephen Fowler Hale. As of 2010 the population was 15,760. Its county seat is Greensboro and it is part of the Tuscaloosa Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Sumter
Sumter County, Alabama
Sumter County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama.Its name is in honor of General Thomas Sumter of South Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 13,763. Its county seat is Livingston.-History:...
and Perry
Perry County, Alabama
Perry County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It was established in 1819, and is named in honor of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry of Rhode Island and the United States Navy. As of 2010 the population was 10,591...
counties. The remnants of Claudette created a very moist atmosphere in parts of Alabama, resulting in several days of afternoon thunderstorms. Some of these thunderstorms produced gusty winds, recorded up to 45 mph (75 km/h) in Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Alabama
Jefferson County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama, with its county seat being located in Birmingham.As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 658,466...
. In Rainbow City
Rainbow City, Alabama
Rainbow City is a city in Etowah County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Rainbow City is located at .According to the U.S...
, lightning struck an apartment building, sparking a fire and leading to the evacuation of two units of the building. Damage from the fire was estimated at $20,000. In Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, outer bands
Rainband
A rainband is a cloud and precipitation structure associated with an area of rainfall which is significantly elongated. Rainbands can be stratiform or convective, and are generated by differences in temperature. When noted on weather radar imagery, this precipitation elongation is referred to as...
of the storm also a maximum of 2.37 in (60.2 mm) at Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
.
See also
- Other storms of the same name
- List of Florida hurricanes (2000-present)