Tropical Storm Debby Poses Flooding and Tornado Threats Across Eastern United States
Debby’s heavy rainfall, flooding, and tornado threats spanned hundreds of miles of the eastern United States on Friday as it raced northward toward the Northeast.
Debby lost its tropical status on Friday morning but remained a potent storm, triggering tornado and flood warnings for Washington, DC, and a flash flood emergency with water rescues in South Carolina.
The system had sustained winds of 30 mph with stronger gusts early Friday and was moving rapidly through the mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast after lingering over the Carolinas for days, creating dangerous flood conditions.
Track the Storm: Debby’s Path
At least seven people have died in the Southeast since Debby made landfall in Florida as a Category 1 storm on Monday. Its torrential downpours and heavy winds have damaged homes, flooded neighborhoods, and trapped people in cars, homes, and boats. The sweltering heat across the region this weekend could further complicate recovery efforts.
Here’s the Latest
– Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings for DC: Several tornado warnings were issued for the Washington, DC, area, including one near Reagan National Airport just after 8:20 a.m. Multiple flash flood warnings were also issued for the greater area, with rain falling at extreme rates of more than 1 inch every 20 minutes. Torrential rain quickly flooded roadways and caused issues for public transportation.
– Water Rescues and Flood Emergency in South Carolina: Debby brought gushing rain to parts of South Carolina overnight, prompting dozens of water rescues north of Charleston. A rare flash flood emergency was issued for the Moncks Corner area, which received almost 9 inches of rain in six hours, with 2 to 3 feet of fast-moving water on roads.
– State of Emergency in Virginia: Frederick County, Virginia, was under a state of emergency due to flooding that forced multiple water rescues. The elevated terrain made the area more susceptible to higher rainfall totals from Debby.
– Debby’s Path: The heaviest rainfall on Friday will spread from central Pennsylvania through central New York and into Vermont, with 2 to 4 inches expected. The Northeast faces a significant threat of flooding, especially in high-terrain areas.
– Widespread Alerts: More than 40 million people are under some level of flood alert, stretching over 900 miles from Georgia to New York and northern New England. A tornado watch is also in effect for over 26 million people in several states.
– Rising Death Toll: At least seven storm-related deaths have been reported, including a 78-year-old woman in North Carolina and a man in North Carolina’s Wilson County.
– Extreme Heat in the Southeast: Hazardous heat has been baking the Southeast in Debby’s wake, with heat indices potentially exceeding 110 degrees, creating difficult conditions for recovery efforts.