A man fishes on a beach in a residential area in the southern United States on November 5, 2001, after Hurricane Michelle in Key West, Florida.
Mark Serota, Reuters
Tropical Storm Debbie is rapidly intensifying on Sunday and is expected to become a hurricane Across the Gulf of Mexico Florida will bring the threat of devastating flooding to the Southeast Atlantic Coast later this week.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the storm could become a strong Category 1 hurricane before making landfall in the Big Bend, Florida, area on Monday.
From there, the storm is expected to move east over northern Florida before stalling along the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina, where it could dump a record 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain starting Tuesday. Officials also warned of life-threatening storm surge along Florida’s Gulf Coast, with 6 to 10 feet of flooding expected Monday between the Ochlockonee and Suwannee rivers.
“The rainfall totals predicted are really surprising and surprising, but they’re bad,” Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, said at a news conference Sunday. “If the rainfall totals are At 30 inches, Georgia and South Carolina will set records for rainfall associated with a tropical cyclone.”
Flooding impacts may continue into Friday and are expected to be particularly severe in low-lying coastal areas, including Savannah, Georgia; Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina.
Emergency officials in Savannah said Sunday that the area could see a month’s worth of rain in four days if a slow-moving system stalls in the area.
Savannah Mayor Fan said: “This is going to be a major storm. The word historic cannot be emphasized here.” R. Johnson said at a news conference.
Area schools will dismiss early Monday and schools will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We’re talking about unprecedented amounts of rainfall that will cause unprecedented flooding throughout the community,” said Dennis T. Jones, Chatham County Emergency Management Director.
Debbie was about 125 miles (205 kilometers) west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, the hurricane center said in an update released at 2 p.m. Sunday. The storm had wind speeds of 13 mph (21 km/h) and maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (105 km/h).
As Debbie moved north, the storm’s outer bands passed over Florida’s west coast Sunday, flooding streets and causing power outages. Sarasota County officials said most roads on Siesta Key, a barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, were flooded.
Debbie is the fourth named storm Following Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl, and Tropical Storm Chris (all of which formed in June), the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is upon us.
The hurricane center predicts the system will strengthen as it moves away from Florida’s southwest coast, where the waters are very warm.
A hurricane warning was issued for parts of Big Bend and the Florida Panhandle, and a tropical storm warning was issued for Florida’s west coast, the southern Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas. A tropical storm watch extends further west into the Panhandle.
tropical storms and hurricanes River flooding and flooding of drainage systems and canals may occur. Forecasters warned of 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) of rain in isolated areas of Florida, with up to 18 inches (46 centimeters).
Storm surge expected to hit Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay
Flat Florida is prone to flooding even on sunny days, and the storm is expected to bring surges of 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 meters) along much of the Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay. Up to level 7.
Forecasters warned of “risk of life-threatening storm surge inundation” in areas including Hernando Beach, Crystal River, Stanhatchee and Cedar Island. Officials in Citrus and Levy counties ordered mandatory evacuations along the coast, while officials in Hernando, Manatee, Pasco and Taylor counties called for voluntary evacuations. Shelters have opened in these and other counties.
Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast estimated there are 21,000 people in the county’s evacuation zones.
Residents and businesses prepare for flood prevention
Residents of Steinhatchee, Florida, moved their belongings to higher ground on Sunday amid flooding during Hurricane Idalia in 2023.
“I’ve been here 29 years. This isn’t the first time I’ve done this. Are you used to it? Not used to it,” business owner Mark Reblin said by phone as he moved items from a liquor store . He owns it.
Rebling, who holds several positions in the town, including with the local water board and chamber of commerce, said most have rebuilt after Idalia.
In Somerville, South Carolina, Dorchester Paws Animal Shelter announced an emergency evacuation of more than 300 dogs and cats and called for volunteers to provide temporary storm foster care.
Meanwhile, employees at Canoe and Kayak Co. in Savannah, Georgia, said they were busy tying down boats, laying sandbags and lifting equipment off the ground. Store manager Mayme Bouy said she wasn’t too concerned about weather forecasts that could bring historic rainfall.
“But we did have some high tides this week, so if it rains then, it could be bad,” Buie added. “I’d rather err on the side of caution than regret.”
Governor declares emergency before landing
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 61 of Florida’s 67 counties, and the National Guard mobilized 3,000 Guardsmen. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued his own emergency declaration on Saturday.
In Tampa alone, officials distributed more than 30,000 sandbags to protect against flooding.
“We’ve had our storm drains cleared. We’ve had our generators fully inspected and filled. We’re taking every step to be prepared for a tropical storm,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency, activating the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan and enabling all state agencies to coordinate resources to prepare.
Northeast coast also bracing for storm
Emergency managers in New England and New York are already monitoring the storm’s path for the potential for remnants of the storm to hit their states. States such as New York and Vermont have been battered by heavy rains and thunderstorms in recent weeks but are still dealing with flooding and saturated soil.
Vermont, in particular, suffered two separate flooding events in July, another that could wreak havoc on communities still recovering from earlier flooding. Gov. Phil Scott said Saturday that the July storms come on the heels of “last summer’s flooding that destroyed infrastructure, homes and property.”
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