Debby Soaks Coastal Georgia and South Carolina in the U.S.
Storm Debby has caused significant flooding along the coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina.
TroibNews 
On Tuesday, Tropical Storm Debby drenched coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina, including Charleston and Savannah, with heavy rains that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned could lead to "catastrophic flooding" in parts of the southeastern United States.
The death toll in Florida and Georgia rose to at least six as the storm continued its slow advance along the southeastern and mid-Atlantic coasts, where it is expected to remain for several days.
According to the NHC, "Debby is expected to produce potentially historic rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches (25 cm and 51 cm), with maximum amounts of 25 inches (63.5 cm), bringing areas of catastrophic flooding across portions of the eastern half of South Carolina, and southeast North Carolina through Friday."
State emergencies have been declared by governors in the affected areas. Reports indicated that as of Tuesday night, the storm’s winds were clocking at around 40 miles per hour as it moved northeast at a rate of 8 kph, with its center approximately 80 kilometers east of Savannah, Georgia. The NHC, based in Miami, also indicated potential flooding risks extending into the mid-Atlantic region through Sunday.
In Georgia, the National Weather Service reported over 20 centimeters of rain affecting Savannah and Valdosta, while Charleston and Hilton Head in South Carolina have seen rainfall between 25 and 30 centimeters with expectations of more precipitation.
Charleston Mayor William Cogswell explained that his city might see upwards of 61 cm of rainfall before the storm subsides, noting that even at low tide, storm surge levels of 1.2 to 1.8 meters could inhibit the drainage of floodwaters into the ocean.
"There are not enough pumps in the world to handle that much rain," Cogswell stated on Monday. Subsequently, he has extended a citywide curfew through Wednesday morning.
"Nobody should be out on the streets in these conditions unless it is an absolute emergency," he cautioned.
In addition, a potential breach at the McGrady Dam in Colleton County has prompted urgent evacuation warnings from the local sheriff's office due to its proximity, about 80 km west of Charleston.
The storm initially hit Florida's Gulf Coast near the Big Bend as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday morning, delivering between 20 and 41 cm of rainfall across central Florida, with media attributing five deaths to the storm in Florida and one near Valdosta, Georgia.
Savannah's Mayor Van Johnson warned of a rare rain event stating, "This will literally create islands in the city."
The effects of Debby were visible in areas like the Tremont Park neighborhood in Savannah, where crews were actively engaged in efforts to drain flooded homes.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
The death toll in Florida and Georgia rose to at least six as the storm continued its slow advance along the southeastern and mid-Atlantic coasts, where it is expected to remain for several days.
According to the NHC, "Debby is expected to produce potentially historic rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches (25 cm and 51 cm), with maximum amounts of 25 inches (63.5 cm), bringing areas of catastrophic flooding across portions of the eastern half of South Carolina, and southeast North Carolina through Friday."
State emergencies have been declared by governors in the affected areas. Reports indicated that as of Tuesday night, the storm’s winds were clocking at around 40 miles per hour as it moved northeast at a rate of 8 kph, with its center approximately 80 kilometers east of Savannah, Georgia. The NHC, based in Miami, also indicated potential flooding risks extending into the mid-Atlantic region through Sunday.
In Georgia, the National Weather Service reported over 20 centimeters of rain affecting Savannah and Valdosta, while Charleston and Hilton Head in South Carolina have seen rainfall between 25 and 30 centimeters with expectations of more precipitation.
Charleston Mayor William Cogswell explained that his city might see upwards of 61 cm of rainfall before the storm subsides, noting that even at low tide, storm surge levels of 1.2 to 1.8 meters could inhibit the drainage of floodwaters into the ocean.
"There are not enough pumps in the world to handle that much rain," Cogswell stated on Monday. Subsequently, he has extended a citywide curfew through Wednesday morning.
"Nobody should be out on the streets in these conditions unless it is an absolute emergency," he cautioned.
In addition, a potential breach at the McGrady Dam in Colleton County has prompted urgent evacuation warnings from the local sheriff's office due to its proximity, about 80 km west of Charleston.
The storm initially hit Florida's Gulf Coast near the Big Bend as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday morning, delivering between 20 and 41 cm of rainfall across central Florida, with media attributing five deaths to the storm in Florida and one near Valdosta, Georgia.
Savannah's Mayor Van Johnson warned of a rare rain event stating, "This will literally create islands in the city."
The effects of Debby were visible in areas like the Tremont Park neighborhood in Savannah, where crews were actively engaged in efforts to drain flooded homes.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
