National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

 

Central Alabama Impacts from Claudette
June 19-20, 2021

Overview
 

Tropical Storm Claudette was born from a broad area of spin spanning the southern Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean Sea, also known as the Central American Gyre. The system was generally disorganized up to and beyond its classification as a tropical storm during the early-morning hours on Saturday, June 19th along the coastline of Louisiana. For Central Alabama, flooding would become the primary hazard from this tropical system. While there were noticeable breezes, high winds were not observed and, though a few cells exhibited rotation, no tornadoes were recorded for our area.

A large shield of tropical rainfall, displaced to the northeast of Claudette's center, began overspreading Central Alabama during the morning hours of June 19th. This initial round of rain didn't produce too much in the way of flooding or gusty winds through the afternoon, with a semi-dry slot producing more in the way of showery precipitation vs. heavy, hours-long rainfall. However, a deformation zone on the northwest side of the storm yielded an axis of prolonged heavy rainfall along and north of Interstate 59/20 during the evening. Rainfall totals of 4.5 to 6.5 inches were common, locally higher. This resulted in flash flooding in areas from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham to Fort Payne. The flooding involved submerged vehicles and water rescues, flooded buildings / residences, overflowing waterways, and water-covered roadways that forced closures and resulted in instances of washouts.

Unfortunately, two occupants of a mobile home in the Cottondale community (Tuscaloosa County) were killed when a tree was downed onto a mobile home due to saturated ground and breezy winds. In northwest Birmingham (Jefferson County), a man was killed after losing his balance and being swept away by flood waters.

 
 
Rainfall
 

Alabama Rainfall Plot

 
Reports
 
 
Flooding
 

Flooding Photo
6th Street
Northport, AL
Courtesy Ryan Phillips

Flooding Photo
Hunter Creek Road
Northport, AL
Courtesy Kayla Smith WVUA23

Flooding Photo
Tallapoosa Street
Birmingham, AL
Courtesy Ryan Cartee

Flooding Photo
Village Creek
Ensley, AL
Courtesy Brandon Riggins WBRC

Flooding Photo
Willowbrook Trailer Park
Northport, AL
Courtesy Ryan Phillips

Flooding Photo
Pebble Creek Pkwy
Forestdale, AL
Courtesy ABC3340

Flooding Photo
Harper Creek
Northport, AL
Courtesy Jason E. Jones

Flooding Photo
Hunter Creek
Northport, AL
Courtesy Juan Andres

Flooding Photo
North River Yacht Club
Tuscaloosa, AL
Courtesy Scott McReynolds

Flooding Photo
NorthSquare Apartments
Northport, AL
Courtesy Leahaija Dixon

Flooding Photo
Northwood Lake
Northport, AL
Courtesy Hilary Spadoni

Flooding Photo
Stone River Rd
Tuscaloosa, AL
Courtesy John Miller

Flooding Photo
Union Chapel Rd
Northport, AL
Courtesy Tera Glenn

Hunter Creek Rd
Northport, AL
Courtesy Jody Perry

 
Surface Charts
 

Surface Chart
Surface Analysis
June 19 at 1 am

Surface Chart
Surface Analysis
June 19 at 7 am

Surface Chart
Surface Analysis
June 19 at 1 pm

Surface Chart
Surface Analysis
June 19 at 7 pm

Surface Chart
Surface Analysis
June 20 at 1 am

Surface Chart
Surface Analysis
June 20 at 7 am

Upper Air Charts
 

250 mb
250 mb Analysis
June 19 at 7 am

500 mb
500 mb Analysis
June 19 at 7 am

850 mb
850 mb Analysis
June 19 at 7 am

250 mb
250 mb Analysis
June 19 at 7 pm

500 mb
500 mb Analysis
June 19 at 7 pm

850 mb
850 mb Analysis
June 19 at 7 pm

250 mb
250 mb Analysis
June 20 at 7 am

500 mb
500 mb Analysis
June 20 at 7 am

850 mb
850 mb Analysis
June 20 at 7 am

KBMX Sounding
KBMX Sounding
June 19 at 7 am

KBMX Sounding
KBMX Sounding
June 19 at 7 pm

KBMX Sounding
KBMX Sounding
June 20 at 7 am