Tropical Storm Debby Slams Florida, Unleashes Record Rain Threat in Georgia and Carolinas

TAMPA, Fla. — Tropical Storm Debby pummeled Florida and Georgia, leaving more than 300,000 customers without power.

Debby unleashed torrential rain and gusty winds, resulting in at least four fatalities and mass flooding concerns for Southern cities.

The National Hurricane Center reported record-setting rainfall, predicting up to 30 inches in some areas. Central and northern Florida could see up to 18 inches.

The historic cities of Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, are particularly vulnerable to flooding.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned that swelling waterways might bring prolonged threats even as the storm moves north. “It is a very saturating, wet storm,” he stated, emphasizing the need for vigilance over the next week.

Debby arrived on Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane but has since downgraded. Nonetheless, it has wreaked havoc, submerging roads and causing fatal accidents.

A truck driver lost his life on Interstate 75 near Tampa when his vehicle overturned and plunged into water. Divers found his body 40 feet below the surface.

Another casualty was a 13-year-old boy in Gainesville, killed by a fallen tree on a mobile home. A nearby car crash took the lives of a woman and a 12-year-old boy in Dixie County.

Power outages remain a significant issue, with 17,000 linemen working to restore services. DeSantis urged residents to steer clear of hazardous roads.

Flight cancellations soared, affecting over 1,600 flights nationwide, concentrating on Florida’s airports. Sarasota experienced severe flooding, exacerbated by an unexpected doubling of predicted rainfall.

Steinhatchee, a small northern Florida community, witnessed severe flooding, with several roads closed and power lines downed. Sheriff Wayne Padgett advised evacuees to delay their return due to the unpredictable tide and flood levels.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have adjusted their schedules in response to the ongoing crisis. Harris postponed her Savannah trip, originally planned for Thursday.

Savannah leaders warned of unusual flooding risks, with potential for substantial water accumulation even in typically unaffected areas. “This type of rain… is going to catch a whole lot of people by surprise,” noted Chatham County Chairman Chester Ellis.

In Charleston, South Carolina, emergency officials labeled Debby as potentially unprecedented. The city activated emergency plans including sandbag distribution and parking garage access to mitigate flood damage.

North and South Carolina have experienced devastating floods in recent years from similar tropical systems, with damages exceeding a billion dollars each instance. Rainfall from hurricanes Joaquin, Matthew, and Florence had catastrophic impacts.

Jim Froncak, a resident of Savannah, prepared for the worst by sandbagging his property. Reflecting on a recent thunderstorm, he remarked, “That was just a thunderstorm… So, who knows what could happen with this?”