American Weather News

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.

The National Transportation Safety Board is launching an investigation into the crash, and an investigator is expected to be at the pileup location on Sunday night, said NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway. Ten NTSB investigators will coordinate with the Alabama Highway Patrol.

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.

National Transportation Safety Board investigations typically involve close examination of accident sites and efforts to reconstruct the circumstances. The investigations often continue for months before the likely cause is identified and made public.

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.