Here’s the Latest:
Vice President Harris postpones trip to Georgia
Vice President Kamala Harris is delaying her planned trip to Georgia due to the ongoing impacts of Tropical Storm Debby.
The campaign for Harris announced that her visit to Savannah, Georgia, scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed because of the storm.
Harris is in the process of selecting her running mate and will reveal the decision at a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday. They will then embark on a joint trip to several important battleground states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada starting on Wednesday. However, the Georgia portion of the original itinerary has been canceled for now.
Debby made landfall in Florida on Monday as a Category 1 hurricane and is expected to bring potentially record-breaking rainfall to Georgia and South Carolina as it moves eastward.
Debby forces flight cancellations at Florida airports
By midday Monday, over 1,600 flights had been canceled nationwide, with many of them involving Florida airports, according to FlightAware.com. One out of every five flights departing from Orlando International Airport was canceled on Monday, along with an equal number of incoming flights.
Nearly 30% of flights scheduled to depart from Tampa International Airport on Monday were canceled. High cancellation rates were also reported at airports in Jacksonville and Fort Myers.
Biden briefed on Debby’s progress
President Joe Biden was briefed on the developments of Tropical Storm Debby while at his residence in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday, as per the White House.
The White House stated that Biden had approved an emergency declaration for Florida on Saturday and that federal resources, including rescue personnel, food, and water, have been dispatched to the areas affected by the storm. The administration is closely monitoring the storm and the response efforts in collaboration with state and local authorities.
A 13-year-old boy dies after tree falls on mobile home in Florida, other storm-related deaths reported
A 13-year-old boy tragically lost his life on Monday morning when a tree fell on a mobile home in the vicinity of Gainesville, Florida, according to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office.
Additional fatalities were reported as Tropical Storm Debby moved further inland.
An incident on Interstate 75 near Tampa resulted in the death of a truck driver early Monday after his tractor-trailer overturned and partially submerged in water. East of Steinhatchee, a 38-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy lost their lives late Sunday in a car accident caused by wet road conditions. A 14-year-old boy, who was a passenger in the vehicle, sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized, as reported by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Debby weakens but flooding threat persists
Tropical Storm Debby has weakened to a tropical storm with maximum winds of about 70 mph (110 kph). The storm is moving slowly in a north-northeast direction and is expected to slow down further as it turns eastward. Debby initially made landfall as a hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region, which is one of the least densely populated areas in the state.
Forecasters are cautioning that heavy rainfall could lead to catastrophic flooding in Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Main concern is storm surge from Debby
Forecasters have highlighted storm surge as the primary threat for Florida, with 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) of water levels above ground predicted in certain areas near the Big Bend.
John Cangialosi, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center, emphasized the vulnerability of this coastal region on Monday. Some areas, including Sarasota and Manatee counties, have already experienced significant rainfall of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters).
In Georgia, the National Weather Service is anticipating major flooding on several rivers, such as the Canoochee River near Claxton, the Ohoopee River near Reidsville, and the Ogeechee River near Eden. Although these rivers were below flood stage on Monday, their water levels could more than double later in the week.
Hundreds of thousands without power
As of Monday, more than 350,000 customers were without power in Florida and Georgia, according to PowerOutage.com.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reported that 17,000 linemen are working to restore electricity. He advised residents in affected areas to remain indoors until conditions improve.
DeSantis cautioned, “When the water levels rise and streets become flooded, it becomes hazardous. Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas. Let’s avoid any traffic fatalities. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving through flooded streets.”
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