Tropical Storm Debby: Potentially Historic Rainfall Looms Over Southeastern States
A man walks Tuesday through a flooded entrance to the beach in Isle of Palms, South Carolina, as Tropical Storm Debby moves off Georgia to the North Atlantic.
Credit: Marco Bello/Reuters
Storm Overview
Tropical Storm Debby continues to hold steady with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. As of the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, the storm’s center is located approximately 50 miles east-southeast of Savannah, Georgia, and about 70 miles south-southwest of Charleston, South Carolina.
Movement and Forecast
Debby is gradually moving eastward at 5 mph. The forecast indicates the storm is expected to shift east and then veer north through Thursday night, gradually moving away from the Georgia and South Carolina coastline before making landfall over South Carolina on Thursday.
Storm Strength and Potential Impacts
While some strengthening is anticipated on Wednesday, Debby is not forecasted to reach hurricane status again. Residents in the Southeast should prepare for heavy rainfall, powerful winds, and the potential for tornado activity on Wednesday.
Rainfall Predictions
Eastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina may experience significant rainfall, with totals expected to range from 10 to 20 inches and localized amounts possibly reaching up to 25 inches. Southeastern Georgia is also expected to receive an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain.
Areas outside the worst of the storm, including the rest of South Carolina, southwestern Virginia, parts of the mid-Atlantic, New York, and eventually northern New England, may see 3-6 inches of precipitation, with some spots experiencing totals nearing 8 inches through Saturday.
Current Watches and Warnings
The latest advisories include the following:
- Storm surge watch is in effect from north of the South Santee River in South Carolina to Cape Fear, North Carolina.
- Tropical storm warning is in effect north of the mouth of the Savannah River to Surf City, North Carolina.
- Tropical storm watch covers the area from north of Surf City, North Carolina, to Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina.
