Debby Now a Tropical Depression, Continues to Pose Threat to Northeastern U.S.
Debby has been downgraded to a tropical depression but continues to pose a threat to the northeastern United States.
TroibNews 
Tropical Storm Debby has been demoted to a tropical depression as of Thursday following a series of destructive events that claimed at least seven lives in the U.S. southeast over the course of the week.
Currently, Debby is moving northward and is anticipated to affect Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. It's expected to potentially generate tornadoes and exacerbate the flood risk in areas that are already dealing with water saturation, according to weather experts.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a statement saying, "heavy rain, flash and river flooding effects will continue over the next two days as the storm begins its northeastward acceleration," indicating that although Debby will weaken by Sunday, its impact will still be felt.
On Thursday, Debby made a secondary landfall near Bulls Bay, South Carolina, just days after it initially hit Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane. Following its first landfall, Debby crossed through northern Florida and Georgia reaching the Atlantic Coast.
The NWS also noted the possibility of tornadoes occurring in North Carolina and Virginia later on Thursday and into early Friday, including areas near Washington, D.C.
The National Hurricane Center reported that additional rainfall of about 7 centimeters was expected in parts of eastern South Carolina on Thursday, with some local areas accruing more than 64 cm of rain since Monday. Rainfall could hit 38 cm in southeastern North Carolina and 25 cm in some areas of Virginia.
South Carolina's Governor Henry McMaster advised continued vigilance despite no storm-related fatalities being reported in his state by Thursday afternoon. "It's not over yet. We've passed some dangers, but there are still plenty, so don't let your guard down yet," McMaster cautioned during a press briefing.
According to Poweroutage.us, over 45,000 customers found themselves without electricity in North Carolina and Virginia as of Thursday evening.
In a tragic event, a man lost his life in eastern North Carolina when a tornado caused his house to collapse. This tornado also inflicted damage on at least 10 homes, a church, and a school in Wilson County, North Carolina, local county officials shared on social media.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Weiss, a forecaster with the weather service, predicted that up to 15 cm of rain could fall from Maryland to northern Vermont, although New York City is expected to largely escape the severe impacts of the storm.
Four dams failed in Bulloch County, Georgia, due to intense flooding, leading to significant disruptions and evacuations as homes were flooded and roads became impassable. The Sheriff's Office in Bulloch County reported on these developments and highlighted the ongoing risk with the Cypress Lake Dam potentially failing as well.
(Cover: Fog engulfs the skyline on a rain-filled day in New York City, U.S., August 8, 2024. /CFP)
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
Currently, Debby is moving northward and is anticipated to affect Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. It's expected to potentially generate tornadoes and exacerbate the flood risk in areas that are already dealing with water saturation, according to weather experts.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a statement saying, "heavy rain, flash and river flooding effects will continue over the next two days as the storm begins its northeastward acceleration," indicating that although Debby will weaken by Sunday, its impact will still be felt.
On Thursday, Debby made a secondary landfall near Bulls Bay, South Carolina, just days after it initially hit Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane. Following its first landfall, Debby crossed through northern Florida and Georgia reaching the Atlantic Coast.
The NWS also noted the possibility of tornadoes occurring in North Carolina and Virginia later on Thursday and into early Friday, including areas near Washington, D.C.
The National Hurricane Center reported that additional rainfall of about 7 centimeters was expected in parts of eastern South Carolina on Thursday, with some local areas accruing more than 64 cm of rain since Monday. Rainfall could hit 38 cm in southeastern North Carolina and 25 cm in some areas of Virginia.
South Carolina's Governor Henry McMaster advised continued vigilance despite no storm-related fatalities being reported in his state by Thursday afternoon. "It's not over yet. We've passed some dangers, but there are still plenty, so don't let your guard down yet," McMaster cautioned during a press briefing.
According to Poweroutage.us, over 45,000 customers found themselves without electricity in North Carolina and Virginia as of Thursday evening.
In a tragic event, a man lost his life in eastern North Carolina when a tornado caused his house to collapse. This tornado also inflicted damage on at least 10 homes, a church, and a school in Wilson County, North Carolina, local county officials shared on social media.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Weiss, a forecaster with the weather service, predicted that up to 15 cm of rain could fall from Maryland to northern Vermont, although New York City is expected to largely escape the severe impacts of the storm.
Four dams failed in Bulloch County, Georgia, due to intense flooding, leading to significant disruptions and evacuations as homes were flooded and roads became impassable. The Sheriff's Office in Bulloch County reported on these developments and highlighted the ongoing risk with the Cypress Lake Dam potentially failing as well.
(Cover: Fog engulfs the skyline on a rain-filled day in New York City, U.S., August 8, 2024. /CFP)
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
