Tropical Storm Claudette (1979)

Tropical Storm Claudette was the fourth-wettest tropical cyclone on record in the contiguous United States, leading to significant flooding in southeast Texas and western Louisiana in July 1979. The eighth tropical cyclone and third named storm of the annual hurricane season, Claudette developed from a tropical wave located east of the Windward Islands on July 16. It gradually strengthened and upgraded to Tropical Storm Claudette on July 17 before crossing the northern Leeward Islands later that day. As Claudette 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 and emerged into the Caribbean Sea on the following day. Claudette struck western Cuba on July 21, shortly before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. By July 23, Claudette regained tropical storm intensity and turned northward. The cyclone made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana stateline late on July 23 as a moderately strong tropical storm. It weakened slowly and drifted over land, lasting until dissipation over 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 in (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 in (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. Consequently, about 15,000 homes and hundreds of businesses were damaged in Greater Houston and 1 person died in Beaumont. Five other deaths occurred near Centerville after a truck crashed into a bus and pushed the latter into a swollen creek. Significant coastal flooding and up to 15 in (380 mm) of precipitation was reported in Louisiana. Later, Claudette brought heavy rains and flooding to parts of the Midwestern United States, especially Indiana, damaging several hundreds of homes, killing one person, and causing about $50 million in damage. Overall, Claudette was responsible for at least eight deaths and $750 million (1979 USD) in damage.