The impacts from Dean were minimal, mainly due to heavy rain in Oklahoma and Texas that caused localized coastal and inland flooding.

The precursor system that would form Dean was a stationary front situated in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico in the last week of July.

On July 27, it developed a weak upper-level circulation indicated by reports from buoys in the Gulf, its structure was disorganized but was in the process of organizing.

It was later declared Tropical Depression Four that same day with the center located about 345 miles (555 km) southeast of New Orleans.

[1][3] The organization of the system hindered further development despite favorable conditions with low wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures.

[4] Late on July 29, the system began to execute a turn to the northwest with an increase in forward speed.

[7][8] Shortly after its landfall, Dean weakened back to tropical depression strength as it tracked further northwest into Texas.

The depression stalled in central Texas on August 1 and remained there for 36 hours until the next day, dropping heavy rain over parts of the state.

[1][10] The remnants of Dean eventually moved up into Oklahoma, where it caused heavy rainfall, forcing roads to close and rescues to be made.

Tropical storm warnings were issued at 0300 UTC on July 30 from Intracoastal City, Louisiana to Corpus Christi, Texas.

A portion of State Highway 87 was flooded from the storm surge, although no significant property damage was reported as a result of it.

[11] Thunderstorms, associated with Dean's remnants, dumped heavy rain across the state, resulting in flash flooding in many areas.

[13] Dean cut a swath of heavy rain throughout the Midwest: Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan were primarily affected.