Tropical Storm Debby Strengthens into Category 1 Hurricane
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tropical Storm Debby has intensified into a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches Florida, according to the national weather service. This marks the fourth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, following Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl, and Tropical Storm Chris, all of which formed in June.
Forecasters have issued warnings of heavy rainfall from Debby that could lead to catastrophic flooding in Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. The storm is expected to make landfall around midday Monday in the Big Bend area of Florida, with a tornado watch also in effect for parts of Florida and Georgia until 6 a.m. Monday.
Preparing for the Impact
Residents and businesses in the affected areas are bracing for the impact of the approaching hurricane. Sheryl Horne, whose family owns the Shell Island Fish Camp along the Wakulla River in St. Marks, Florida, shared, “Right now, we are trying to secure everything from floating away.” Customers have moved their boats inland in anticipation of the storm. The region was hit by Hurricane Idalia last year, making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane.
Debby is expected to move eastward over northern Florida and then stall over the coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina, bringing potential record-setting rains totaling up to 30 inches. Officials have warned of life-threatening storm surge along Florida’s Gulf Coast, with 6 to 10 feet of inundation expected between the Ochlockonee and Suwannee rivers.
Impacts and Preparations
Michael Brennan, director of the hurricane center, emphasized the severity of the forecasted rainfall, stating, “There’s some really amazing rainfall totals being forecast and amazing in a bad way.” The flooding impacts could last through Friday and are expected to be particularly severe in low-lying areas near the coast, including Savannah, Georgia; Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina.
Savannah Mayor Van. R. Johnson highlighted the significance of the approaching storm, stating, “This is going to be a significant storm. The word historic cannot be underscored here.” The hurricane center reported that Debby was located about 100 miles west of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. The storm was moving north at 12 mph.
Preparing for the Worst
Governors in the affected states have declared emergencies ahead of the hurricane’s landfall. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 61 of Florida’s 67 counties, with the National Guard activating 3,000 guard members. Utility crews are on standby to restore power after the storm. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster also made emergency declarations.
In Tampa, officials distributed over 30,000 sandbags to help residents barricade against flooding. Mayor Jane Castor assured that the city is prepared for the tropical storm, with stormwater drains cleared out and generators checked and fueled.
Looking Ahead
Emergency managers in New England and New York are monitoring the storm’s path for the possibility of remnants affecting their states. States like New York and Vermont, which have recently experienced heavy rain and flooding, are still dealing with saturated ground.
As Tropical Storm Debby strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane, residents and officials are taking necessary precautions to mitigate the potential impacts of the storm. With the threat of heavy rainfall and storm surge looming, preparedness and vigilance are key in ensuring the safety and well-being of those in the storm’s path.
