In a second landfall event, Tropical Storm Debby struck South Carolina near Bulls Bay early this morning, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm, which continues its journey up the U.S. East Coast, is set to bring heavy rain and potential flooding to multiple states, with areas as far north as Vermont forecasting up to six inches of rain over the weekend.
Originally making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Debby has since weakened to a tropical storm. Current wind speeds are around 50 mph, with forecasts suggesting it will transition into a tropical depression by tonight and become an extratropical storm by Friday.
The storm’s path is expected to take it within 60 miles south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, by tomorrow morning. The NHC is warning of significant flooding, particularly in eastern South Carolina and northern North Carolina, where rainfall totals could range from 3 to 9 inches.
Debby’s aftermath has already prompted communities across South Carolina to begin assessing the damage. The storm has also been associated with four confirmed tornadoes in the Charleston area, according to the National Weather Service’s Charleston office.
In Georgia, Bulloch County near Savannah reported at least four storm-related structural collapses, though fortunately no fatalities occurred. Emergency services in the area handled numerous incidents, including more than 75 injury incidents.
Roy Thompson, chairman of the Bulloch County Commission, expressed his shock at the scale of the disaster, noting, “I’m over 78 years old and I’ve never seen anything like this in Bulloch County. It’s unbelievable what’s happened and what you expect as all this water recedes.”
The storm also brought heavy rains to regions as far north as New York and New Jersey, primarily affecting the Great Lakes region. Forecasters predict that Debby’s weather impacts could extend into next week, with potential river flooding in the higher elevations of North Carolina posing ongoing risks.
