Debby has been downgraded from a tropical storm but continues to impact the Carolinas with heavy rainfall. As we head into the weekend, forecasters warn that parts of the East Coast may experience significant downpours, flash flooding, and even the possibility of tornadoes. The mid-Atlantic states and portions of New York and New England should expect severe rainfall that could lead to hazardous flooding, particularly affecting areas near Interstate 95.
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Emergency crews conducted 33 high water rescues in a South Carolina county on Friday, following reports of up to 9 inches of rain that fell overnight due to the remnants of Debby.
Fortunately, no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported since the storm began, according to local authorities.
Moncks Corner faced the worst of the flooding in Berkeley County, previously affected by a tornado spawned by Debby’s storm bands earlier in the week.
Floodwaters have trapped residents in the Cane Bay subdivision, home to thousands, prompting officials to advise residents to remain indoors until conditions improve.
Numerous road closures have been reported, including the eastbound lanes of Interstate 26 approximately 30 miles from Charleston. Traffic cameras indicated standing water obstructing the lanes, as crews work to enhance the highway.
A tragic incident occurred in North Carolina where a 78-year-old woman died after a tree fell on her house, marking an increase in Debby’s death toll to at least eight.
This incident was reported by the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman lived in an unincorporated area known as Browns Summit, northeast of Greensboro.
On Thursday, tornadoes linked to Debby damaged homes, destroyed a school, and claimed one life, as the storm inundated communities across the Carolinas.
Moncks Corner in South Carolina experienced flash flooding early Friday, with the National Weather Service reporting the presence of up to 3 feet of rapidly flowing water in the streets.
“We have multiple swift water rescue teams responding to flooded areas,” stated local officials, with an emergency shelter opened at Berkeley Middle School.
The storm’s effects have been devastating, leaving homes and businesses in Moncks Corner inundated.
Debby is being characterized by meteorologists for its “very slow movement,” which has resulted in substantial rainfall across North Carolina.
In some areas, rainfall rates reached 1 to 3 inches per hour, posing a serious risk of catastrophic flooding.
Despite an end to the rain in certain locations, residents are cautioned to remain alert for potential runoff and lingering flooding issues in the upcoming days. Additional rain is expected in northern North Carolina through Thursday night.
In the coming days, the heaviest rainfall is likely to occur west of the Interstate 95 corridor, particularly in mountainous regions, which may trigger flash flooding.
Mid-Atlantic states, as well as parts of New York and New England, are also under threat of substantial rainfall that could lead to dangerous flooding by the weekend, affecting sections of I-95 near major urban centers. Tornado activity may be prevalent from eastern Virginia up to Vermont.
Forecasters anticipate “multiple threats” from Debby’s final chapter, emphasizing the dangerous conditions ahead.
As hurricane season progresses, with the historic peak coming in mid-September, meteorologists have warned that the coming weeks may unleash more active tropical storms in the Atlantic.
Residents of Southeast Georgia are urged to prepare for additional flooding even as Debby exits the Carolinas, as rivers overwhelmed with rainwater threaten to overflow their banks.
Emergency officials anticipate the Ogeechee River near Savannah may reach major flood stage shortly, with predictions indicating it could crest at 19.5 feet early Sunday.
Authorities in Effingham County have advised residents of certain roads near the Ogeechee River to evacuate, while others in neighboring Chatham County have the option to stay or leave.
“Expect water where you have not seen water before,” stated Chatham County officials during a recent press conference. They stressed the urgency for residents with substantial water levels in their yards to evacuate promptly.
Emergency teams in Chatham County have already rescued 17 individuals from homes at risk due to flooding.
The National Hurricane Center has officially downgraded Debby to a tropical depression, with current maximum sustained winds recorded at 35 mph.
Debby first made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane early Monday on Florida’s Gulf Coast and was positioned over North Carolina as of Thursday afternoon.
South Carolina’s Governor confirmed that while there were no reported deaths or significant damage from Debby, state officials are apprehensive about potential flood impacts upstream.
Having moved out of South Carolina, Debby’s rain is expected to produce swelling rivers and associated flooding downstream in the following days as storm effects linger.
The rainfall totals have been substantial, with Green Pond in Colleton County registering nearly 16.6 inches.
North Carolina has ramped up its response efforts, activating additional National Guard troops and units to assist with persistent rain and damage from Debby.
Governor Roy Cooper reported that approximately 374 guardsmen are mobilized alongside 131 vehicles in response to the ongoing weather situation.
Tragically, one person has died in North Carolina following a home collapse linked to a tornado—a reminder of the ongoing impacts from Debby.
The overall death toll from Debby is now at seven, with multiple fatalities attributed to traffic incidents and fallen trees, alongside a man in Gulfport, Florida whose body was discovered after a boating mishap.
Interstate 95 has reopened in North Carolina after being temporarily closed due to flooding, which topped the freeway in several regions.
Reports indicate about 5 inches of rain fell in the affected area overnight.
Interstate 95 is a critical route for over 50,000 vehicles daily, linking Florida to Maine.
In an unfortunate incident, a falling tree struck patrol cars in Bladen County during a flood assessment, damaging the vehicles but fortunately causing no injuries to the deputies inside.
Voluntary evacuation orders have been issued in Bladenboro, with a shelter established at West Bladen High School for displaced residents.
As parts of Interstate 95 around Fayetteville remain closed temporarily due to high water, local authorities continue to monitor the ongoing situation.
With reports of three feet of standing water in Bladenboro, road closures into the town have been implemented.
The National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency for Bladen County as conditions continue to develop.
Flooding has heavily affected transportation routes along the East Coast, with Interstate 95 closures reported due to overflowing waters.
The threat of continued severe weather persists as Debby moves north-east, maintaining a watch for tornado activities across North Carolina and Virginia, as noted by forecasters.
Storm bands influenced by Debby are expected to bring further thunderstorms from the East Coast to the Great Lakes.
Tropical Storm Debby made its second landfall early Thursday near Bulls Bay, South Carolina, moving inland and predicting continued rainfall and potential flooding well into the weekend affecting the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.
In Bulloch County, Georgia, significant flood events were reported as multiple dams breached, though no deaths have been noted so far, according to local officials.
Rescue efforts have successfully saved over 75 individuals from rising floodwaters, with more than 100 roads closed throughout the area.
Such overwhelming conditions have been unprecedented, as expressed by local officials, leading to a state of emergency.
As flooding continues, residents along the coastal areas face an uncertain future with the potential for more rainfall as Tropical Storm Debby’s effects are felt across multiple states.
