Tropical Storm Claudette (1979) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Tropical Storm Claudette
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Tropical Storm Claudette
Formed	July 15, 1979
Dissipated	July 29, 1979



Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 60 mph (95 km/h)
Lowest pressure	997 mbar (hPa); 29.44 inHg



Fatalities	2 direct
Damage	$400 million (1979 USD)
Areas affected	Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio Valley, Kentucky, Virginia

Part of the 1979 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Claudette was a powerful storm that formed in July 1979. It moved across the Caribbean Sea and then hit parts of the United States. Claudette caused a lot of damage, especially due to very heavy flooding in Texas. It was one of the first major storms during the 1979 Atlantic hurricane season.

What Was Tropical Storm Claudette?
- Claudette's Journey and Impact
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What Was Tropical Storm Claudette?

Tropical Storm Claudette started as a tropical wave. This is a low-pressure area that moves across the ocean. It slowly grew stronger and became a tropical depression. A tropical depression is the first stage of a tropical cyclone.

The storm then gained more strength and became Tropical Storm Claudette. A tropical storm has stronger winds than a tropical depression. Claudette was active for about two weeks in total.

Claudette's Journey and Impact

Claudette traveled a long way across the Atlantic Ocean. It brought heavy rain and strong winds to many areas. The storm caused problems in several countries and states.

Hitting the Caribbean

Claudette first moved through the Leeward Islands. These islands are in the Caribbean Sea. It then reached Puerto Rico on July 18. The storm brought a lot of rain to Puerto Rico. Sadly, one person lost their life there because of the storm.

After Puerto Rico, Claudette continued west. It passed near the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The storm also affected Cuba before heading towards the United States.

Reaching the United States

Claudette made landfall in eastern Texas on July 24. It brought very heavy rainfall to the area. Some places received an incredible amount of rain in a short time. For example, Alvin, Texas, got over 42 inches (1,070 mm) of rain. This is one of the highest rainfall amounts ever recorded from a tropical cyclone in the United States.

The huge amount of rain caused massive flooding. Homes, businesses, and roads were underwater. The flooding led to almost $400 million in damage. This was a very large amount of money in 1979. Sadly, another person lost their life in Texas due to the storm.

Moving Inland

Even after hitting Texas, Claudette continued to cause problems. Its leftover moisture moved inland. It brought heavy rains to states like Louisiana, Missouri, and the Ohio Valley. Parts of Kentucky and Virginia also saw significant rainfall. The storm finally ended on July 29.