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CNN LIVE AT DAYBREAK
Claudette Kills Two
Aired July 16, 2003 - 05:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get back to Claudette now. Two people dead, power is out in several areas and Texas is now assessing the damage. The two victims were killed by falling tree limbs.
Our Eric Philips has more on the storm.
ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, after teasing the Gulf Coast for several days, Claudette made her presence very known here, leaving behind a path of destruction and debris and leaving many residents in the dark.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHILIPS (voice-over): Crews work into the dark of night to restore power to several storm struck communities along the Texas coast. Flooding continues to be a challenge, as well, after rough surf overlaps sea walls. The governor has signed a disaster relief proclamation to help speed state and federal aid to needy areas that felt the effects of Claudette.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We saw the washer and dryer come right through this wall and then get into the water as it surged up and just go down the street.
PHILIPS: At its most intense, Claudette packed winds between 80 and 85 miles an hour, with gusts up to 104 miles an hour knocking down power lines and toppling structures along the central coast of Texas. The damage, debris and flooding left behind Mother Nature's calling card.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think at some time during the night or the morning, this was the edge of the sea. This is where you go beachcombing.
PHILIPS: People who have lived in the Galveston area for some time say Claudette isn't the worst storm they've ever seen, but still a force to be reckoned with.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But to see that thing hold the power of the ocean back and to see the waves crash into it and come up in the air like taller than the house, it was so awesome.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILIPS: Officials say beach erosion is the main concern here in Galveston. They say that normally they lose about 10 feet of beach each year and when a storm like Claudette rolls through, that amount could increase.
In Galveston, Texas, Eric Philips -- Carol, back to you.
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