Northern Florida, the coastal areas of Georgia, South Carolina, and parts of North Carolina are preparing for heavy rainfall and potential catastrophic flooding as the slow-moving Debby storm system progresses eastward. Debby initially hit the Big Bend coast of Florida as a Category 1 hurricane, causing damage to homes and businesses, extensive power outages, and sadly, multiple fatalities. By midday Monday, Debby had been downgraded to a tropical storm.
Forecasters are warning of unprecedented rainfall amounts, with some areas possibly receiving up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain, breaking previous records from storms like Hurricane Florence in 2018. Even though Debby was categorized as a Category 1 storm, experts like Jeff Masters believe its rainfall impact could be comparable to a Category 3 or 4 hurricane, emphasizing the potential for significant damage.
Northern Florida, low-lying regions like Savannah, Hilton Head Island, and Charleston in Georgia and South Carolina, and potentially parts of North Carolina are at high risk for severe flooding. Officials in Savannah cautioned that the area might experience a month’s worth of rain in just four days if the storm lingers. Charleston, in particular, faces unique challenges due to its geography, with concerns about both heavy rainfall and storm surge.
The storm’s stall is attributed to high-pressure systems surrounding it, causing it to linger over specific areas for an extended period. Climate change likely plays a role in the severity of storms like Debby, with warming waters in the Gulf of Mexico intensifying rainfall. The storm is expected to bring the heaviest rain in the first half of the week, but its effects could persist until Saturday.
Emergency officials are urging residents in the impacted areas to prepare for the worst-case scenario and stay vigilant. The slow-moving nature of the storm poses a significant risk of flash flooding and prolonged rainfall, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and readiness efforts.
