Tropical Storm Debby has made its way into the southeastern United States, bringing with it long-lasting torrential downpours and the threat of flooding after battering Florida with intense rain and strong winds.
The storm has already claimed at least five lives and is causing flash flooding in historic cities like Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson notified residents to brace for a challenging day ahead. Debby made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday.
While categorized as a Category 1 based on wind speeds, meteorologists assert that the storm’s rainfall potential poses a significant risk.
Latest Developments:
Debby has weakened over land, as tropical cyclones rely on warm water for energy; however, portions of its circulation are still interacting with warm waters off the Atlantic coast, according to meteorological experts.
The storm’s center is projected to drift offshore along the Georgia and South Carolina coast before re-entering land, where it may regain strength, though the extent is uncertain.
Tropical storm warnings have been issued from northeastern Florida up to North Carolina, with heavy rain anticipated, potentially resulting in catastrophic flooding in southeastern Georgia, eastern South Carolina, and southeastern North Carolina until Friday.
“Tropical cyclones always produce heavy rain, but when they move at a slow pace, that can lead to more critical conditions,” said a meteorological expert.
As of early Tuesday, Debby’s center was situated over southeastern Georgia, with maximum sustained winds estimated at 45 mph and moving northeast at approximately 7 mph. The center is expected to move offshore later in the day, with some strengthening anticipated on Wednesday and Thursday before moving inland over South Carolina.
Charleston’s emergency plan includes provisions such as sandbags for residents, access to elevated parking garages for vehicles, and an online mapping system for tracking flooded roads.
Approximately 500 individuals were rescued from inundated homes in Sarasota, Florida, a city known for its tourism, as reported by local authorities.
“We’ve received more than double the anticipated rainfall,” noted Sarasota County Fire Chief, highlighting the severity of the weather conditions.
Manatee County officials also reported that 186 people were rescued from floodwaters in their area.
“We are confronting an unprecedented weather event with Hurricane Debby,” stated the public safety director of Manatee County. “The safety of our residents is our foremost concern, and we are committed to addressing this crisis effectively.”
Severe winds and rain associated with Debby led to a tragic incident in south Georgia where a large tree fell on a porch, resulting in the death of a 19-year-old male.
The Colquitt County Coroner confirmed the individual died in Moultrie, about 40 miles northwest of Valdosta, due to falling debris.
The storm has also caused damage to roofs and downed power lines in Moultrie, according to local law enforcement.
The National Hurricane Center reported that Debby maintained peak winds of 45 mph as of Monday evening while moving slowly northeast. The storm is expected to traverse southeastern Georgia, possibly slowing down as it turns to the east.
