Tropical Storm Debby Spawns Tornadoes, Brings Flooding from South Carolina to Georgia

As Tropical Storm Debby stalls over the Southeast, significant threats loom over the coastal areas of Georgia and the Carolinas. The current outlook projects the storm to dump more than 2 feet of rain, potentially causing catastrophic flooding and leading to numerous weather advisories.

Increasing Flooding Potential from Slowing Storm

The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center indicates that Debby has decelerated to a pace of 3 mph. This slow movement allows the tropical storm to harness more energy from the warm Atlantic waters, escalating the risk of flooding both in the Southeast and the Northeast. Forecasters predict cities like Savannah, Georgia; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Wilmington, North Carolina are at risk of receiving over a foot of rain by the end of Thursday.

Historic Rainfall, Power Outages, and State Emergency Declaration

After first making landfall along Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 1 hurricane earlier this week, Debby is on path to move northeastward gradually. The storm has delivered over 20 inches of rain in some areas, causing extensive power outages affecting more than 300,000 customers during the peak of the storm in Florida. In response to the precarious conditions created by Debby, an emergency has been declared in Georgia by President Joe Biden, who has ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts.

Risk of Tornadoes and Flash Flooding

Along with the prospects of flooding, Southeastern regions are also experiencing tornado threats due to Debby. One such tornado touched down on the eastern side of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, on Monday evening, resulting in severe damage to multiple businesses. Images shared on social media by locals revealed fallen trees, damaged power poles, and flipped cars, clearly highlighting the magnitude of destruction. Currently, there are no reports of severe injuries.

Georgia Authorities Execute Swift Water Rescues

In Georgia, officials have had to conduct swift water rescues following incidents where vehicles entered flooded territories. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency shared this latest update as rivers continue to swell beyond flood stage due to the persistent heavy rain.

Where is Debby Heading Next?

Current forecasts anticipate Debby’s core to head out into the Atlantic Ocean, potentially gathering strength once again. However, forecast models suggest it should remain a tropical storm. Along its course, the storm is likely to deliver heavy, life-threatening flooding to places like Charleston, South Carolina, where rainfall might accumulate up to 2.5 feet. This comes alongside threats of tropical-storm-force winds and potential tornadoes throughout the Southeast this week.

State of Emergency Declared Across Affected States

In response to Debby’s threats, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster have proclaimed states of emergency, urging residents to prepare for “significant rainfall”. Both Governors have deployed National Guard resources to respond to potential severe flooding impacts.

Unprecedented Flood Warnings

Various cities are now facing significant risks, with each forecasting varying levels of potential rainfall accumulations and wind gust speeds. For instance, Savannah might experience up to 18 inches of rain, and Charleston might end up with nearly 2 feet of rainfall towards the end of this week. Both cities will potentially see wind speeds gusting between 40 mph to 60 mph over the same period. These unprecedented conditions are leading authorities to stress the severity of the situation. Charleston Mayor Williams Cogswell commented, “That is unprecedented… It’s important for people to take this seriously and to stay home.”