Tropical Storm Debby has made a significant impact on Florida and is forecasted to pose ongoing risks along the southeast coast in the coming days.
The storm, which made landfall early Monday morning on Florida’s Big Bend coast as a Category 1 hurricane, has already claimed at least five lives: four in Florida, including two teenagers, and one in Georgia. Debby is now moving slowly and threatening to bring prolonged heavy rainfall and severe flooding to affected areas.
Earlier today, Debby’s center was reported to be some 20 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia, and 105 miles southwest of Charleston, South Carolina, moving northeast at 9 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Debby was expected to move offshore from the Georgia coast later on Tuesday.
Residents in southeastern Georgia and coastal South Carolina have been urged by the NHC to remain sheltered as Debby’s winds may intensify rapidly.
For continuous updates and detailed information, as well as maps showing Debby’s path, refer to the National Hurricane Center and NOAA’s Hurricane Tracker.
Forecasters warned of a “major flood threat” to parts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina over the next few days. The storm’s slow movement is expected to exacerbate flooding risks. The NHC has predicted that some areas could see up to 20 inches of rain, with northern North Carolina and parts of the Mid-Atlantic states potentially receiving 4 to 8 inches, and localized amounts reaching up to 12 inches. Catastrophic flooding could occur in certain regions.
Debby has already caused significant power outages, with thousands of residents across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina left without electricity. The storm is expected to generate dangerous storm surge conditions along the southeastern coast from northeastern Florida to North Carolina throughout midweek.
The NHC forecasts that Debby will move offshore from the Georgia coast later today, linger offshore through early Thursday, and then make landfall again in South Carolina on Thursday. Despite potential fluctuations in strength, Debby is expected to remain a significant storm as it continues its northeastward path.
How to stay safe
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis cautioned that although Debby is moving into Georgia, threats persist in the state as waterways fill and flow southward. “It is a very saturating, wet storm,” he noted. Here are key safety steps to follow:
- Stay updated: Monitor local news and updates from the National Hurricane Center to track Debby’s progress and any changes in its trajectory or intensity.
- Prepare for evacuations: Follow local authorities’ instructions regarding evacuations. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes and have a plan in place.
- Have an emergency kit: Assemble an emergency kit with essential supplies, including water, food, medications, and important documents, to be used in the event of extended power outages or quick evacuations.
This early in the hurricane season, Debby’s intensity is notable. Meteorologists have anticipated an active 2024 hurricane season influenced by human-driven climate change and record-high temperatures, which increase the likelihood of severe storms like Debby.