10 killed in Alabama crash; Claudette to strengthen

Claudette was downgraded to tropical depression but was expected to re-strengthen Sunday night as it heads toward the East Coast.
Alabama officials said 10 people, including nine children, died in a crash that was likely caused by the storm.
Claudette continued to produce heavy rains and the threat of flash floods across much of the Southeast on Sunday morning.

Tropical Depression Claudette left at least 12 dead in Alabama as the storm continued to batter and flood parts of the U.S. Southeast as it moved toward the Atlantic Coast and a predicted restrengthening.

Ten people, including nine children, died in a multi-vehicle collision on Saturday that was likely caused by storm-related hydroplaning, Butler County Coroner Wayne Garlock told local media. Garlock did not immediately respond to a voicemail left Sunday.

Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch, located south of Montgomery, confirmed that one of its vehicles was involved in the crash. The program is part of the Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches, a Christian nonprofit that provides 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 on 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 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.

Separately, 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 also confirmed the father-and-son deaths and said more than 7 inches of rain had produced widespread flooding, evacuations and trapped motorists.

The deaths came after Claudette battered parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle with high winds on Saturday, tearing roofs off houses and flipping an 18-wheeler and a mobile home. The storm also sparked reports of multiple tornadoes.

Hurricane season 2021:NOAA predicts up to 20 named storms possible

More: From Ana to Wanda, here is the list of tropical storm and hurricane names

More than 20 people were rescued by boat due to flooding in Northport, Alabama, WVUA-TV reported. Additionally, Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Capt. Bryan Harrell told news outlets a search was underway for a man who was possibly swept away by flooding.

Storm total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches with isolated 15 inch amounts was observed in southeast Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and the western Florida panhandle, the National Hurricane Center reported late Sunday morning.

Claudette continued to produce heavy rains and the threat of flash floods across much of the Southeast, the report said.

Carrying maximum sustained wind of 30 miles per hour, the storm is forecast to produce additional rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches, with isolated highs of up to 6 inches, across Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, northern and central Georgia, and Upstate South Carolina during Sunday morning, the report advised.

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.

"Considerable flash, urban and small stream flooding impacts, as well as new and renewed minor to isolated moderate river flooding are possible across these areas," the hurricane center warned.

Claudette is forecast to re-strengthen into a tropical storm Sunday night over eastern North Carolina, the National Hurricane Center said. Additional strengthening could occur over the western Atlantic Ocean early on Tuesday.

Tropical Depression Claudette's strength:High winds, tornadoes and drenching rain reported as Tropical Depression Claudette batters parts of Gulf Coast

Contributing: Brad Harper, Montgomery Advertiser; Associated Press

Source link

10 killed in Alabama crash; Claudette to strengthen

cincylink

Read Next

Trump via video for judge to reinforce ban on attacking witnesses

How a ‘Preschool for All’ program in Oregon could be a model across US

How Andrew Abbott ‘rolled with the punches’ and became one of Reds top pitching prospects

Nursing student steps in to deliver neighbor’s baby

Trump via video for judge to reinforce ban on attacking witnesses

How a ‘Preschool for All’ program in Oregon could be a model across US

How Andrew Abbott ‘rolled with the punches’ and became one of Reds top pitching prospects

Nursing student steps in to deliver neighbor’s baby

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

British Food Section At Jungle Jim's in Cincinnati

Braised pork belly with bok choy: Cincinnati style

Demon Slayer PS4 Game News Update On Playable Characters & Gameplay Coming Soon?!

K&J Seafood in Cincinnati Ohio

SEGA Confirms NEW Sonic 2020 Game Reveals?? (Speculation & News)

HELLO NEIGHBOR SECRET NEIGHBOR NEW UPDATE

Read Next

Nursing student steps in to deliver neighbor’s baby

Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!

Six-time Olympic champion Allyson Felix has had an eventful journey to Tokyo 2020

Canada health experts recommend Pfizer, Moderna as second dose after AstraZenaca

Related Articles

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

British Food Section At Jungle Jim's in Cincinnati

Braised pork belly with bok choy: Cincinnati style

Demon Slayer PS4 Game News Update On Playable Characters & Gameplay Coming Soon?!

K&J Seafood in Cincinnati Ohio

SEGA Confirms NEW Sonic 2020 Game Reveals?? (Speculation & News)

HELLO NEIGHBOR SECRET NEIGHBOR NEW UPDATE