Tropical Storm Debby Triggers Tornadoes and Flash Floods in Southeast US
As it sweeps across the southeastern part of the United States, Tropical Storm Debby is spawning tornadoes and bringing forth extensive flooding from South Carolina to Georgia. Cities like Savannah, Georgia; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Wilmington, North Carolina are in the storm’s direct path, with forecasts predicting more than a foot of rain through Thursday. Charleston, South Carolina could possibly endure up to 2.5 feet of rain.
Slow and Potentially Stalling Storm
The storm made landfall along Florida’s Big Bend on Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane and has since slowed to a speed of 3 mph. With such a slow pace, Debby is anticipated to draw more power from the warm Atlantic waters, amplifying the potential for flooding in the Southeast and Northeast. Over 20 inches of rain have already fallen thanks to Debby, which also caused extensive storm surge flooding in Southwest Florida and a power outage affecting more than 300,000 customers.
President Declares Emergency in Georgia
In response to the hazardous conditions wrought by Debby, President Joe Biden has declared an emergency in Georgia, greenlighting federal assistance to amplify state and local response initiatives.
Floods, Tornadoes: Havoc in the Carolinas, Georgia
Costly property damage and robust flooding aren’t the only issues Debby is causing. Tornadoes have also been reported, wreaking havoc in South Carolina. A tornado hit the eastern side of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, destroying several businesses and damaging many others. Trees and power poles were blown down, landing on cars and causing one vehicle to flip over.
No major injuries have been reported, but residents of Moncks Corner, South Carolina and Edisto Beach, South Carolina can see the tornado’s devastating damage. State officials in Georgia have conducted swift water rescues as Debby continues to dump rain on the region.
Prediction: Prolonged Damage
Stalled over the Southeast, Debby’s slow movement is expected to extend the period of rain and flooding within the Southeast. This risk will slowly move north as Debby continues its slow crawl near the coast. Debby’s core is predicted to head out into the Atlantic Ocean this week, potentially strengthening the storm.
Given Debby’s current trajectory, predictions are for cities like Savannah, Georgia; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Wilmington, North Carolina to experience over a foot of rain through the week, potentially leading to life-threatening flooding and swollen rivers. In addition to flooding rain, tropical-storm-force winds and a few tornadoes in the Southeast are also expected this week.
Statements from Governors and Mayors
Both South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued states of emergency in light of Debby’s threats and directed residents to prepare for “significant rainfall.” They have also deployed National Guard resources to react to potential extreme flooding.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Monday afternoon as well. In response to the unprecedented rain predictions, Charleston Mayor Williams Cogswell urged residents to take the storm seriously, “It’s important for people to take this seriously and to stay home. Be safe. Do not venture out in these floodwaters.”
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
