Hurricane Debby makes landfall in Florida with life-threatening impacts
Hurricane Debby Hits Florida
Steinhatchee, Florida, was the first to feel the wrath of Hurricane Debby as it made landfall early Monday morning, unleashing a wave of flooding rain, damaging winds, and a life-threatening storm surge. The Category 1 storm, officers noted, struck the area around 7 a.m. ET with winds peaking at just over 80 mph.
Reports from the area highlighted that over 150,000 people were left without power as the hurricane made its way into the land early on Monday morning. Residents, emergency responders and storm chasers braved the weather to share updates and document the event.
Forecast and Potential Impact
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has forecasted “potentially historic rainfall” across southeastern Georgia and South Carolina through Friday, suggesting widespread flash flooding and other life-threatening conditions. Estimations state that the storm could dump nearly 2 feet of rain on these parts by midweek.
The governors of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have declared a state of emergency and are urging residents to stay prepared and safe, given the numerous threats the storm poses.
The Path of Hurricane Debby
According to storm specialists, the center of Hurricane Debby is presently situated over Florida’s Big Bend. After making landfall, the hurricane is expected to move northeastward through Florida dumping historic rainfall and causing life-threatening storm surges in Georgia and the Carolinas.
Hurricane Warnings and Alerts
Various tropical weather alerts have been issued in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The most severe, a Hurricane Warning, is concentrated in the Big Bend region, where winds of at least 74 mph are anticipated. There are also storm surge warnings for much of the Florida Gulf Coast and the coastlines of Georgia and South Carolina. Flooding remains a major concern with designated watches in these areas.
The Effects of Hurricane Debby
Powerful wind and rain battered southwest Florida even before the hurricane made landfall. Several feet of storm surge and hurricane force-winds are pummeling Florida as Hurricane Debby makes its way inland.
Visuals from the Fort Myers area showed feet of flooding Sunday afternoon as rain bands from Hurricane Debby lashed the state. As the hurricane continues to move, the worst of the surge is expected between Yankeetown and the Ochlockonee River in Florida, where up to 10 feet of surge is forecast.
Concerns over Rainfall from Hurricane Debby
Hurricane Debby is anticipated to unleash remarkable amounts of rainfall as it moves across the southeastern U.S, with over a foot of rain expected in north-central Florida and up to 2 feet of rain between Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. The flood risk exists all over Debby’s path, but the highest risk zones appear to be in north-central Florida and along the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina.
