Tropical Storm Debby Update - Still Major Threat to SC

Tropical Storm Debby is centered along the Georgia-Florida border this eveing with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and its forward speed is now NE at only 6 mph. The storm's slow movement is a big part of the reason it is such a threat for flooding across SE Georgia and much of South Carolina over the next four days. Even beyond that, the flood threat will continue as the storm slowly moves away and rivers rise and crest. The National Hurricane continues to refer to the flood threat as "potentially historic" and "likely catastrophic".

The latest official track from the National Hurricane Center is not much different from earlier. The storm reaches the coast near the Georgia/South Carolina line Tuesday afternoon, moves slowly out over the water, turns north and crawls slowly to the northern coast of SC, making a second landfall Thursday afternoon, then crosses the Pee Dee and moves into NC by Friday. This track is not etched in stone as storms moving so slowly are known to occasionally stall or make unexpected turns. Please continue to pay attention to the latest information and forecasts until Debby is gone.

On this track Debby will drop huge amounts of rain over a several day period. Here is the latest rain totals forecast from NOAA, and the latest Flash Flood RIsk map. Both show the reason for all of the concern about flooding. Flash flooding and river flooding are one of the deadliest threats from hurricanes and tropical storms. Please follow your local forecasts and guidance from Emergecy Management. NEVER try to drive through flooded or baracaded roads.

Winds are one of the biggest unknowns with Debby, especially as we get to the second expected landfall in northern South Carolina and Debby then tracks across the Pee Dee. It all depends on how much stregnthening occurs as the storm passes over the warm Atlantic Ocean. The European model continues to show high wind gust potential. The speeds on this map are likely overdone, but after days of heavy rain, trees will be vulnerable to falling and power outages would result.

For the Pee Dee and Grand Strand, rain bands will spread acoss the area tonight and continue off and on Tuesday into Thursday night. The long duration of rain heavy at times will likley lead to flooding. Areas where the heaviest bands set up could have severe flooding. The worst of the storm on the current track will be Wednesday night into Thursday night when the winds are the highest. Along the beaches stay aware of the latest surge forecast for where you live and follow emergency management instructions. Friday could stay very stormy depending on how quickly Debby exits, then quieter weather moves in for the weekend. River flooding will be an ongoing threat for days with the current track and rain forecasts.

Stay tuned in the latest local forecasts, watches and warnings, have emergency plans, and stay safe!