Tropical Storm Debby — which drenched parts of the Southeast after making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region earlier this week — has stalled off the South Carolina coast, where it is expected to make a second landfall, bringing with it heavy rain and a “major flood threat,” forecasters say.
Where is the storm, exactly?
According to an update from the National Hurricane Center on Wednesday evening, Debby was slowly churning in the Atlantic about 50 miles off the South Carolina coast.
- Location: 50 miles southeast of Charleston, S.C., and 85 miles south of Myrtle Beach
- Maximum sustained winds: 60 mph
- Present movement: Northeast at 3 mph
The slow-moving storm could reach the South Carolina coast early Thursday morning, NHC forecasters say. “Some strengthening is possible today or tonight before the center of Debby reaches the coast of South Carolina,” the hurricane center said. “Weakening is forecast to begin on Thursday after the center moves inland.”
Rain and storm surge, forecasters say.
Debby is expected to produce an additional 3 to 9 inches of rainfall with locally higher amounts, leading to maximum storm total amounts as high as 25 inches in parts of the Carolinas through Friday.
In addition, the “combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline,” the hurricane center said. In some areas along the Carolina coast, the water level could reach 1 to 3 feet above ground “if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide,” the hurricane center warned. Debby is expected to merge with a frontal boundary over the mid-Atlantic on Friday, bringing heavy rain and the potential for flash flooding from Virginia to Vermont through the weekend.Spring 2024 brought a number of severe storms — and with them large hail, high-speed winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and deadly tornadoes. Now hurricane season is upon us, with Hurricane Debby making landfall in Florida early Monday and threatening to bring record-setting rainfall and devastating flooding.Weather events were also responsible for 869 deaths and 1,200 injuries in 2022, according to the most recent data from the National Weather Service (NWS).
Heat is responsible for the highest number of fatalities, while flooding killed more than 90 Americans, and lightning, tornadoes and high winds during thunderstorms claimed 74 lives that year. And extreme weather is becoming only more common due to climate change, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Hurricane safety tips
Hurricanes can bring heavy rainfall, high winds, flooding, storms and even tornadoes. The American Red Cross urges anyone who is in a hurricane's path to immediately follow any evacuation orders if they are issued; make an evacuation plan beforehand so you have a clear idea of where you'll go and how you'll get there via approved evacuation routes (taking shortcuts could be dangerous). In the event you can't leave home, find a designated storm shelter where you can ride out the storm. According to the Red Cross, “the next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not likely to flood.”
Because these storms tend to involve power cuts, people staying at home should prepare to be without electricity, water, gas, phone and other utilities for several days until it is deemed safe to leave. Stocking up on essential items (food, water, extra supply of medicine and backup batteries) is highly recommended. A “go bag” should have enough for three days, while a “stay at home kit” should contain two weeks' worth of supplies in case stores and pharmacies are closed.
A few other things you can do ahead of a hurricane, according to the Red Cross:
- Secure loose items around the yard (trash cans, lawn furniture, etc.) so that they aren't picked up by high winds and pose a danger to others
- Trim trees that could fall on the home in a storm
- Protect windows with storm shutters or plywood
- Get a battery-powered radio
- Find a way to charge your phone (even in the event you lose power and can't use your standard charger)
— CutC by Yahoo.com
