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What is the latest on storm Claudette? Will it hit the United States?

Tropical Storm Claudette became a tropical depression, but it is expected to strengthen as it reaches the East Coast

By Herb Scribner Herb Scribnerhscribner@deseretnews.com
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Motorists navigate a flooded Gause Boulevard in Slidell, La., as a tropical disturbance neared the Louisiana shore.

Motorists navigate a flooded Gause Boulevard in Slidell, La., late Friday, June 18, 2021, as a tropical disturbance neared the Louisiana shore.

Scott Threlkeld, The Advocate via Associated Press

Tropical Storm Claudette became a tropical depression over the weekend after it made landfall on much of the South, bringing rain, wind and deaths.

  • In total, 13 people died in Alabama Saturday because of the storm’s strength, NPR reports.
  • Alabama officials said 10 people, including nine children, died in a crash connected to the storm, according to USA Today.

What to expect from Claudette on Monday

Though the worst seems over, Claudette will strengthen again into a tropical storm on Sunday and Monday. More high winds and tropical storm conditions will batter the East Coast around North Carolina, according to NPR.

  • South Carolina, meanwhile, has a tropical storm watch in effect for the storm.
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The National Hurricane Center said anyone near southern Georgia, northern Florida or the Carolina states should prepare for flooding, tornadoes and torrential downpours.

  • “As the large circulation of Claudette moves off of the southeastern United States coast later today and tonight, winds will increase along and offshore of the coast, and the system is expected to regain tropical storm status by Monday morning,” the NHC said. “Additional re-strengthening is forecast on Monday and Monday night while the cyclone moves over the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream.”

What happened to Claudette?

Claudette was deemed the first tropical storm system of the season and was the third storm of the season to get a name from meteorologists, as I wrote of the Deseret News. It was the first storm of the season that was expected to hit land on the United States.

Will Claudette became a hurricane?

No, it doesn’t look like it since the storm has already made landfall. And, if you want some assurances, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller told USA Today that “a hurricane is unlikely.”