At least four fatalities have been reported as Hurricane Debby makes a significant impact on Florida’s Big Bend region. The storm, classified as a Category One hurricane, came ashore near Steinhatchee on Monday morning, bringing devastating flooding, widespread power outages, and dangerous travel conditions.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Hurricane Debby intensified late Sunday, with maximum sustained winds reaching 80 mph and predictions of up to 30 inches of rainfall as it progresses northward.
This storm, the fourth named of the 2024 hurricane season, is also expected to heavily impact Georgia and South Carolina in the coming days.
Reports indicate that the victims include a 13-year-old boy whose mobile home was struck by a falling tree in Levy County. Another incident occurred in Hillsborough County when an 18-wheeler driver lost control, resulting in the vehicle plunging into a canal. Authorities have confirmed the driver’s death.
In Dixie County, a car accident claimed the lives of a woman and a 12-year-old child, with initial investigations suggesting hydroplaning as a contributing factor.
Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the storm’s potential for catastrophic flooding, with predictions of historic rainfall amounts as the slow-moving hurricane advances.
As of now, more than 242,000 homes and businesses throughout Florida are without power due to the hurricane’s ferocity.
With the hurricane forecast to slow considerably on its path across the state, it may drift slowly into the Atlantic Ocean, continuing to deliver bands of rain to southeastern Georgia and the Carolinas through midweek before making its way inland over South Carolina on Thursday.
The state of emergency has been declared for 61 of Florida’s 67 counties, with utility crews mobilized to assist in power restoration efforts post-storm.
Residents are taking precautions, with many recalling the recent damage from Hurricane Idalia last summer. “I’ve dealt with this too many times before,” commented one local resident, expressing hope not to face such challenges again.
Forecasters had warned of a busy hurricane season, predicting up to 25 named storms by November 30. Climate change may be increasing the frequency of slow-moving hurricanes, as rising global temperatures alter atmospheric patterns.
Hurricane Debby, following Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl, and Tropical Storm Chris, emphasizes the ongoing threats faced during this hurricane season.
