Unprecedented Rainfall and Ocean Surges Threaten Georgia and the Carolinas as Tropical Storm Debby Makes Landfall
As Tropical Storm Debby slowly moves towards the Atlantic after hitting Florida’s Gulf Coast as a hurricane, the potential for historic amounts of rain and dangerous ocean surges looms over Georgia and the Carolinas. At least six people have already lost their lives due to the storm.
The National Hurricane Center is warning of between 10 to 20 inches of rain along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, leading to possible catastrophic flooding. With winds of 45 mph, the storm is currently positioned just south of Savannah, Georgia, with heavy rainfall expected to continue into the weekend.
Debby’s impact was felt as a Category 1 hurricane in Florida, where it caused widespread damage and claimed several lives. Power outages affected nearly 120,000 residents, with hundreds of flights canceled. Additionally, tornadoes are a concern, with reports of damage in South Carolina.
The storm is forecasted to gradually move east off the coast of Georgia on Tuesday before veering north towards South Carolina. Vice President Kamala Harris has postponed a scheduled campaign stop in Savannah due to the severe weather conditions.
Mayor Van Johnson of Savannah has warned of a potentially historic rain event, stating that the city could face significant flooding. The impact of Tropical Storm Debby is expected to be long-lasting and could have devastating consequences for the region.
