TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tropical Storm Debby was quickly intensifying on Sunday and was projected to transform into a hurricane as it moved through the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida, posing a risk of severe floods to the southeast Atlantic coast later in the week.
The storm was anticipated to reach strong Category 1 hurricane status before hitting the Big Bend area of Florida or the Florida Panhandle on Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Following landfall, Debby was forecasted to move eastwards over northern Florida and then stall over the coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina, potentially causing record-breaking rainfall of up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) starting on Tuesday. Officials also cautioned about life-threatening storm surge along Florida’s Gulf Coast, with a 6 to 10 feet inundation expected on Monday between the Ochlockonee and Suwannee rivers.
“There’s some really incredible rainfall estimates being made and incredible in a negative way,” Michael Brennan, director of the hurricane center, stated during a briefing. “That would be record-breaking rainfall related to a tropical cyclone for both Georgia and South Carolina if we reach the 30 inch mark.”
The flooding effects could persist until Friday and are expected to be particularly severe in low-lying coastal regions, including Savannah, Georgia; Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina.
Officials in Savannah remarked that the region could receive a month’s worth of rain in just four days if the system lingers over the area.
“This will be a substantial storm. The term historic cannot be overstated here,” Savannah Mayor Van. R. Johnson said during a press briefing.
In a 5 p.m. update, the hurricane center indicated that Debby was about 120 miles (193 kilometers) west of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (105 kph). The storm was moving north at 12 mph (19 kph).
Debby’s outer bands brushed the west coast of Florida, resulting in flooded streets and power outages. Sarasota County authorities reported that most roads on Siesta Key, an island off the coast of Sarasota, were submerged. The hurricane center predicted that the system would gain strength as it turned off the southwest Florida coast, where the water temperatures were extremely warm.
During a briefing on Sunday afternoon, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis cautioned that the storm could cause “really, really significant flooding” in North Central Florida.
He noted that it would follow a similar path to Hurricane Idalia, which hit the state last year, but would be “much wetter. We are going to see much more inundation.”
Debby is the fourth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, following Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl, and Tropical Storm Chris, all of which formed in June.
A hurricane warning was issued for parts of the Big Bend and the Florida Panhandle, while tropical storm warnings were in effect for Florida’s West Coast, the southern Florida Keys, and Dry Tortugas. A tropical storm watch extended further west into the Panhandle.
Tropical storms and hurricanes can trigger river flooding and overwhelm drainage systems and canals. Forecasters warned of 6 to 12 inches (15 centimeters to 30 centimeters) of rain and up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) in isolated areas of Florida.
Storm surge expected to hit Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay
Flat Florida is susceptible to flooding even on clear days, and the storm was expected to bring a surge of 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 meters) along most of the Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay, with a storm tide of up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) north of there in the sparsely populated Big Bend region.
Forecasters cautioned of “a danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation” in regions that include Hernando Beach, Crystal River, Steinhatchee, and Cedar Key. Officials in Citrus and Levy counties ordered a mandatory evacuation of coastal areas, while Hernando, Manatee, Pasco, and Taylor counties issued voluntary evacuations. Shelters were opened in those and other counties.
Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast estimated that 21,000 residents live in the evacuation zone.
Residents, businesses prepare for flooding
In Steinhatchee, Florida, a town that flooded during Hurricane Idalia, residents spent Sunday moving items to higher ground.
“I’ve been here for 29 years. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to do it. Do you ever get used to it? No,” said Mark Reblin as he moved items out of the liquor store he owns.
In Summerville, South Carolina, the Dorchester Paws animal shelter announced an emergency evacuation of over 300 dogs and cats, appealing to volunteers to take in the animals.
Employees at Savannah Canoe and Kayak in Georgia were busy securing their watercraft, laying sandbags, and elevating equipment off the ground. Store manager Mayme Bouy remarked that she wasn’t overly concerned about the forecast for potential historic rainfall.
“But we do have some high tides this week so if the rain falls around then, that could be problematic,” Bouy added. “I’d rather err on the side of caution.”
Governors declare emergencies ahead of landfall
Gov. DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 61 of Florida’s 67 counties, with 3,000 National Guard members being activated. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp made his own emergency declaration on Saturday, while South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster proclaimed a state of emergency to allow state agencies to coordinate resources for preparation.
In Tampa alone, over 30,000 sandbags were distributed to protect against flooding.
“We’ve cleared out our stormwater drains. We’ve checked and filled our generators. We’re doing everything we need to be prepared to face a tropical storm,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
Northeast coast also preparing for storm conditions
Emergency managers in New England and New York were already monitoring the storm’s path for the possibility of remnants affecting their states. States like New York and Vermont have experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms in recent weeks, still dealing with flooding and saturated ground.
Vermont, in particular, faced two separate flooding events in July, with another potentially causing significant damage to communities still recovering from earlier floods.
Chandler reported from Montgomery, Alabama. Jake Offenhartz contributed from New York.
