Four US states—Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia—have declared a state of emergency in response to Tropical Storm Debby. Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has also declared a state of emergency for 61 counties.
Warning of ‘catastrophic flooding’
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a warning that Debby could result in historic rainfall, with totals ranging from 10 to 20 inches and isolated areas receiving up to 25 inches, as reported by CBC.
The storm has already brought heavy rain to coastal Georgia and South Carolina as of Tuesday, August 6, leading to warnings of “catastrophic flooding” in cities like Charleston and Savannah. Debby, which initially made landfall as a hurricane on Florida’s Gulf Coast, has resulted in six fatalities across Florida and Georgia.
Four states brace for impact
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin highlighted the potential for significant rainfall and flooding across the Commonwealth, which could cause transportation issues and power outages, according to DC News Now.
Charleston Mayor William Cogswell has implemented a citywide curfew, noting that storm surges of 1.2 to 1.8 meters will hinder the drainage of floodwaters. Emergency services in Charleston County are preparing for unprecedented flooding. “There are not enough pumps in the world” to handle the expected rainfall, he stated, urging residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, as reported by CBC.
In South Carolina’s Colleton County, evacuation orders have been issued due to concerns about the McGrady Dam. Local authorities have warned that a breach could pose serious dangers to nearby communities.
As the center of Debby moved offshore of Georgia on Tuesday night, the storm was expected to persist, bringing additional rain and the risk of tornadoes. A suspected tornado had already caused damage in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, flipping cars and damaging businesses.
Savannah and Valdosta, Georgia, have already recorded over 20 centimeters of rain, while Charleston and Hilton Head, South Carolina, have experienced between 25 and 30 centimeters.
