12 dead in Alabama due to Claudette, including 9 children in multi-vehicle crash; storm to strengthen on way to East Coast
Kevin McCoy | USA TODAY
- Alabama officials said 10 people, including nine children, died in a crash that was likely caused by the storm. Separately, a 24-year-old father and his 3-year-old son died in their home when a falling tree struck the residence, according to authorities.
- The storm was predicted to restrengthen Sunday night, according to the National Hurricane Center, becoming a tropical storm either late Sunday or Monday.
Tropical Depression Claudette left at least 12 dead in Alabama, battering and flooding parts of the U.S. Southeast as it moved toward the Atlantic Coast.
The storm was predicted to restrengthen Sunday night , according to the National Hurricane Center, becoming a tropical storm late Sunday or Monday over eastern North Carolina. It's expected to become a post-tropical cyclone Tuesday.
The storm is forecast to produce additional rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated highs of up to 6 inches, across the eastern portions of the Florida Panhandle into North Florida, southern Georgia, central and coastal South Carolina into eastern North Carolina through Monday morning, the hurricane center said.
Tropical storm warnings and watches were in place for both Carolinas from Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning, the weather service said. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are forecast for the states.
Ten people, including nine children, died in a multi-vehicle collision Saturday that was probably caused by storm-related hydroplaning, Butler County Coroner Wayne Garlock said . Garlock did not respond to a voicemail left Sunday.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, and an investigator is expected to be at the pileup location Sunday night, spokesman Keith Holloway said. Ten NTSB investigators will coordinate with the Alabama Highway Patrol.
Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch , south of Montgomery, confirmed that one of its vehicles was involved in the crash . The program is part of the nonprofit Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches , which provide homes for needy, neglected or abused school-age children.
"Please send prayers our way as we navigate this difficult time," the Tallapoosa ranch said in a Facebook post.
A website for the ranch shows the children attend Reeltown School. A Facebook post for the high school said it planned to offer counseling support and a prayer session Sunday afternoon.
The crash occurred on Interstate 65 at around 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Butler County, south of Montgomery. The wreck blocked traffic in both directions for most of the day.
Butler County Sheriff Danny Bond told the Montgomery Advertiser, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the "horrific scene" was the worst traffic accident he'd ever witnessed. He said the tragedy involved 18 vehicles and caused multiple injuries.
NTSB investigations typically involve close examination of accident sites and efforts to reconstruct the circumstances. The investigations often continue for months before the likely cause is identified and made public.
A 24-year-old father and his 3-year-old son died in their home when a falling tree struck the residence, Capt. Marty Sellers of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office told the Tuscaloosa News .
In a Facebook post, Tuscaloosa City Council President Kip Tyner confirmed the father-and-son deaths and said more than 7 inches of rain produced widespread flooding, evacuations and trapped motorists.
Claudette brings flooding to Southeast, heads toward East Coast
Claudette battered parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle with high winds Saturday , tearing roofs off houses and flipping an 18-wheeler and a mobile home. The storm sparked reports of multiple tornadoes.
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More than 20 people were rescued by boat after flooding in Northport, Alabama, WVUA-TV reported. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Capt. Bryan Harrell said a search was underway for a man who was possibly swept away by flooding.
Rainfall totaled 5 to 10 inches in southeast Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and the western Florida panhandle, the National Hurricane Center reported Sunday afternoon. Isolated areas saw up to 15 inches.
Claudette continued to produce heavy rains and the threat of flash floods across much of the Southeast, the report said. It carried maximum sustained wind of 30 mph Sunday afternoon.
Bands of heavy rain will occur across portions of central and southern Georgia, central and coastal South Carolina and eastern North Carolina through Monday morning as the weather system tracks north and east, the report said.
Flash, urban and small stream flooding, as well as new and renewed minor river flooding, are possible across these areas.
Additional strengthening could occur over the western Atlantic Ocean early Tuesday.
Tropical Depression Claudette's strength: High winds, tornadoes and drenching rain reported as Tropical Depression Claudette batters parts of Gulf Coast
Contributing: Elinor Aspegren, USA TODAY; Brad Harper, Montgomery Advertiser; Associated Press
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