Storm Debby drenches Southeast, up to 25 inches of rain expected
Debby to bring heavy rain and flash floods to Southeast and Carolinas
Tropical Storm Debby has inundated the Southeast with rain after hitting Florida as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday.
Debby has caused significant rainfall, with the highest total recorded south of Tampa, Florida, where around 19 inches fell.
In Georgia, northwest of Savannah received over 11 inches of rain. South Carolina saw 14 inches between Charleston and Hilton Head Island.
By Tuesday afternoon, Debby was positioned about 10 miles southeast of Savannah, moving north at a slow pace.
The heavy rain is expected to extend from Charleston to Wilmington, North Carolina. Storm surge levels could reach 4 feet from Savannah to Cape Fear, North Carolina, and there is a potential for tornadoes.
Flash flood warnings are in place for Savannah, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Rainfall rates might peak at 1 to 2 inches per hour during the heaviest downpours, leading to further flooding.
Debby is projected to move back over the ocean off the South Carolina coast within the next 24 hours and may strengthen in the warm waters.
A second landfall is anticipated between Charleston and Myrtle Beach on Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
The heaviest rainfall is expected along the South Carolina-North Carolina border through Thursday evening. A rare “high risk” for flash flooding has been issued from Charleston to Raleigh, North Carolina, with rain totals potentially reaching 25 inches by Thursday.
On Friday, Debby is forecast to leave the Carolinas and head up the East Coast. From Friday night through Saturday night, the storm’s remnants will bring heavy rain to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Forecasts predict 4 to 8 inches of rain, with flash flooding a possibility.
