Tropical Storm Debby: South Carolina hit with over a foot of rain as Florida contends with deadly hazards
At least five people are dead amid devastating rain and flooding from Tropical Storm Debby
Tropical Storm Debby slowed over South Carolina Tuesday, bringing over a foot of rain and heavy flooding to the region as Florida reeled from the deadly after-effects of the storm.
Debby, which was downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane, crossed the Florida-Georgia border late Monday. Green Pond, South Carolina recorded more than 14 inches of rainfall on Tuesday as the storm hovered off the state’s coast.
Meanwhile, tornadoes wreaked havoc on the state. One tornado wiped out power lines and damaged homes on Edisto Beach, while another likely tornado caused damage on Isle of Palms, the South Carolina Daily Gazette reported.
Florida is also reeling from Debby. “Deadly” hazards remained a threat to Sunshine State residents on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. The dangers included downed power lines, continued flooding and heat stroke amid widespread power outages.
Florida officials are also warning residents to properly ventilate rooms with generators to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
At least five people have been killed by the storm, which is expected to strengthen while hovering off the South Carolina coast on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
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Florida police hunt for missing man after sunken boat found
Police in the city of Gulfport, Florida, near Tampa, are searching for Brian J Clough, 48, a local sailor whose boat was found sunken on Monday.
A local boater found the wreck and searched for Clough inside, but the man wasn’t to be found, though his dog was still onboard, according to Gulfport police.
“The Gulfport Police Department has checked with the local boating community but Clough has not yet been located,” the department told WFLA. “When weather conditions improve, additional resource will be used in the search.”
Even as Debby passes, risks remain in Florida
Tropical Storm Debby may be moving out of the north of Florida and towards the southeastern coastal US, but it still leaves plenty of risks behind, according to the National Hurricane Center.
“Deadly hazards remain, including downed power lines and flooded areas,” the NHC wrote in an afternoon update. “Ensure generators are properly ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Exercise caution when using chainswas and power tools, and drink plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion.”
Tropical Storm Debby blows 70lbs of cocaine onto beach in Florida
Well this certainly wasn’t in the forecast.
Tropical Storm Debby, in addition to bringing heavy rains and flooding to the Gulf Coast of Florida, also blew 25 packages of cocaine onto a beach in the Florida Keys, according to Samuel Briggs II, of the Border Patrol.
The packages of drugs, marked with a red, X-like symbol, have a street value of over $1m.
Falling tree kills Georgia teen, fifth death from storm
Tropical Storm Debby has now reportedly killed five people since making landfall earlier today.
A 19-year-old in Moutlrie, Georgia, died on Monday when a tree fell on the side of his house, according to Colquitt County officials, CNN reports.
Four others have died in the storm in car crashes and another falling tree incident.
North Carolina declares state of emergency
North Carolina has declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Debby continues making its way north.
“As the storm approaches our state, please take precautions and stay safe,” North Carolina governor Roy Cooper wrote on X.
Read the full declaration here.
Update: NHC warns of ‘torrential rains’ as Debby moves north
Tropical Storm Debby is expected to bring torrential rains as it continues to move north into Georgia overnight, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm, now about 50 miles outside of Valdosta, Georgia, will bring winds of 45mph, storm surge, and 6 to 12 inches of rainfall across Florida and North Carolina through Wednesday morning.
Southeast Georgia and the Carolinas, meanwhile, can expect 10 to 20 inches of rainfall.
“This potentially historic rainfall will likely result in areas of catastrophic flooding,” the NHC warned.
Watch: Charleston mayor announces curfew as Tropical Storm Debby rages
Charleston, South Carolina, mayor William Cogswell announced a curfew would go into effect for the city overnight, as Tropical Storm Debby is set to bring 10 to 12 inches of rain in the coming house.
Watch more of his remarks via WTAT.
‘We don’t have any monetary damages, just emotional damage'
Major storms damage more than just buildings.
They also leave an emotional impact, according to Cheri and Rusty Jakes of Steinhatchee, Florida, where Debby first made landfall.
Their property was under a foot of water during the storm surge.
“We don’t have any monetary damages, just emotional damage,” said Ms Jakes told The New York Times. “All of my children’s baby books got flooded...That’s the most devastating thing. I don’t care about anything else right now.”
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