The National Hurricane Center issued tropical storm warnings for the coastline and residents in some counties were advised to evacuate storm-surge-prone areas.

[1] On August 11, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring the wave when it was located roughly 600 mi (970 km) east of the Lesser Antilles.

Disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity was associated with the westward moving wave; however, the NHC did not anticipate further development of the system.

[3] Strong upper-level wind shear created an unfavorable environment for the system to re-organize as it tracked through the eastern Caribbean Sea.

[5] Early on August 16, the system rapidly organized, with a low-level circulation developing roughly 80 mi (130 km) southwest of Tampa, Florida.

[7] Around 11:00 am EDT, the NHC upgraded the depression to a tropical storm and gave it the name Claudette in light of information from the NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in Tallahassee, Florida that found winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) around the center of circulation.

[8] During the afternoon of August 16, a brief increase in wind shear due to a trough over the southeastern United States, caused the center to become exposed.

[1] Several hours after landfall, convection associated with the storm quickly decreased[10] and by 8:00 am EDT, the NHC issued their final advisory on Claudette as it weakened to a tropical depression.

[12] Residents in these areas were urged to quickly prepare for the storm by ensuring their hurricane kit was fully stocked and ready.

[16] Shortly after 3:00 pm EDT, the National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama issued a tropical storm wind warning for areas between Destin, Florida and Pascagoula, Mississippi.

[21] Although no plans were put in place to open shelters, the Emergency Operations Center in Washington County raised their activation level to stage two.

[22] In Franklin County, the Emergency Operations Center was placed at stage three and voluntary evacuation orders were issued for Alligator Point.

[38] By the early evening, officials closed down a 1 mi (1.6 km) segment of Highway 20 due to a fallen tree and power line.

[45] Along the coastline, waves produced by Claudette resulted in the loss of 30 to 40 ft (9.1 to 12.2 m) of sand in coastal areas of Bay, Walton, Franklin and Gulf counties.

[48] Upon making landfall, flash flood watches were issued for parts of southern Alabama due to the threat of heavy rainfall.

[50] Some areas received up to 2 in (51 mm) in a two-hour span, prompting the National Weather Service to issue flash flood warnings.