Tropical Storm Claudette batters Gulf Coast

Tropical Storm Claudette is battering the Gulf Coast on Saturday.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has been putting out warnings since Friday for Alabama, Florida and Mississippi, with Saturday morning’s warning saying the tropical storm watch will now also include North Carolina. 

“Claudette is expected to produce heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding across coastal Mississippi and Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle through the afternoon,” the NHC tweeted.

Tropical Storm #Claudette continues to produce heavy rains and gusty winds across portions of the northern Gulf coast. A Tropical Storm Watch has now been issued for portions of North Carolina. Visit https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB and https://t.co/SiZo8ohZMN for details. pic.twitter.com/2fM9MOOxMv

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) June 19, 2021

North Carolina’s coast is expected to be hit on Sunday.

Winds from the storm Saturday morning hit 40 mph and are causing significant damage in the affected states.

Georgia has also been affected by heavy rain from Claudette.

Along with the tropical storm, tornado warnings are being issued in Florida and Alabama. 

The U.S. has seen dangerous weather across the country this week with a heat wave hitting the West affecting 50 million Americans.

“A few monthly and even all-time records have already been tied/broken this week associated with the current stretch of heat,” the National Weather Service said.