Tropical Storm Debby already a deadly force across the southeastern United States, made a second landfall northeast of Charleston early Thursday morning. The storm, which originally hit Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane, has continued its destructive path, now bringing heavy rain and flash flood warnings to coastal South and North Carolina.
After its initial impact in Florida, Debby moved across northern Florida and Georgia, finally reaching the Atlantic Coast. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) downgraded the storm to a tropical depression as it made its second landfall near Bulls Bay, South Carolina. Although its wind speeds decreased, with gusts hitting a maximum of 35 mph (56 kph), the storm’s slow movement has resulted in continuous rainfall, exacerbating fears of flash flooding in areas already saturated.
The storm has claimed at least seven lives since it first struck, including one man in eastern North Carolina, where a tornado caused his house to collapse. The tornado also damaged at least 10 houses, a church, and a school in Wilson County. The NHC warned that Debby could spawn additional tornadoes in North Carolina and Virginia, including areas as far north as Washington, D.C.
Flash Flood Warnings and Ongoing Risks
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster urged residents to remain cautious, emphasizing that while some dangers have passed, significant risks remain, particularly from river flooding. “It’s not over yet. We’ve passed some dangers, but there are still plenty, so don’t let your guard down yet,” McMaster said during a press conference.
The NHC predicted that Debby could dump another 3 inches of rain on parts of eastern South Carolina on Thursday, with some areas seeing more than 25 inches of rain since Monday. Southeastern North Carolina could receive up to 15 inches, and parts of Virginia could see 10 inches.
By Thursday afternoon, more than 87,000 customers were without power in North Carolina and Virginia, according to Poweroutage.us. In Bulloch County, Georgia, approximately 50 miles northwest of Savannah, four dams burst due to floodwaters on Wednesday, and the Cypress Lake Dam was at risk of failure on Thursday morning. Local authorities were forced to evacuate residents after homes were flooded and roads became impassable due to overflowing lakes and creeks.
As Debby continues to move northeast, it is expected to bring moderate rainfall to Maryland, Washington, upstate New York, and Vermont over the weekend, with up to 6 inches of rain forecasted in some areas. However, forecasters predict that New York City will avoid the worst of the storm.
The situation remains fluid as emergency responders work to manage the aftermath of the storm’s second landfall and prepare for any additional hazards that may arise in the coming days.
