The Worst of Rain is Over for Eastern SC as Debby Moves North, Still Some Heavy Rain in Midlands and Upstate

The center of tropical storm Debby is just west of Florence, SC this morning, but most of the heavy rain bands have shifted to our north. There is one big exception though, as a heavy rain band in NC does extend southward into portions of the Midlands and Upstate of SC. For example York and Chester Counties currently have flash flood warnings in effect and some poweroutages. Last night the Pee Dee area had hours of heavy rain and some power outages from downed trees. As expected, the power outages were not widespread, and power companies worked through the storm to restore power and continue this morning. I want to thank the crews for MPD Electric for getting our power back on twice last evening from back to back downed trees in the Latta area. There is still a lot of standing water and water on roads across the Pee Dee this morning, so be careful if you must travel. Check out WPDE reporter Tonya B Brown's Facebook page from great coverage in pictures from last night and this morning. Most rain amounts from Debby so far in the Pee Dee were from 6 to 12 inches. The long unexpected break we had in the rain late Tuesday and Tuesday night helped keep flooding from being much worse.

Tropical storm Debby will move slowly north today and then begin to move more quickly away from us tonight and tomorrow. Still, some showers will be rotating around the underside of storm today and tonight. It wouldn't be impossible to see a few more isolated power outages since trees are standing in soil so saturated. If you live along a river, stay very aware of crest forecasts for your location as it will take days for all of the rain, and the rain falling in North Carolina today, to work its way through the rivers and to the ocean.

Here is the latest satellite loop of tropical storm Debby and the forecast track from the

National Hurricane Center. On the satellite loop you will be able see clearly the clouds with the heavy rain band NW of center.

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