Tropical Storm Debby has made its second landfall in South Carolina, and it is expected to bring heavy rain and possible flooding all the way up the East Coast. The storm first made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Florida before moving inland. Now a tropical storm, Debby has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.
The National Hurricane Center predicts considerable flooding in parts of eastern South Carolina and southeast North Carolina, with an additional 3 to 9 inches of rain expected. Days of rain have already caused flooding in South Carolina, where residents are assessing the damage left behind by Debby. Gene Taylor, a resident of Huger, estimates that this is the fourth time his house has been flooded in the past nine years. He emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the worst and learning from past experiences.
Further north in Georgia, at least four dams were breached, resulting in several evacuations and road closures. Residents in suburban Pooler, Georgia, experienced a painful sense of déjà vu as they faced flooding for the second time in four years. Despite efforts by local government to fix drainage problems, the neighborhood continues to be at risk.
Debby’s impact extends beyond the Carolinas and Georgia. The storm dumped rain on communities all the way up to the Great Lakes and reached as far as New York and New Jersey. In New Jersey, as much as 6 inches of rain fell in less than four hours, leading to flash flood warnings. New York City officials warned of potential flash flooding and conducted water rescues in affected areas.
The storm also caused severe storms in Ohio, resulting in power outages for nearly 330,000 customers. Utility officials predict that power restoration will take days due to the extent of the damage. Despite the challenges, the governor of South Carolina, Henry McMaster, stated that the state was in the second act of a three-act play, with significant damage to homes but no major issues with roads and water systems.
As the storm continues its path, North Carolina and Virginia have declared a state of emergency, and Maryland has issued a state of preparedness declaration. The potential for major flooding exists in North Carolina if enough rain falls upstream and causes rivers to overflow.
Tragically, six people have died as a result of the storm, with most fatalities attributed to traffic accidents or fallen trees. One death occurred in Gulfport, Florida, where a 48-year-old man’s body was recovered after his sailboat partially sank.
The impact of Tropical Storm Debby serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and the unpredictable nature of weather events. Residents in affected areas must remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
