This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia
**DEBBY TO BRING POTENTIALLY HISTORIC RAINFALL TO THE AREA THIS WEEK**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch have been issued
for Beaufort, Charleston, Coastal Bryan, Coastal Chatham,
Coastal Colleton, Coastal Jasper, Coastal Liberty, Coastal
McIntosh, and Tidal Berkeley
- A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Inland Berkeley,
Inland Bryan, Inland Chatham, Inland Jasper, Inland Liberty,
Inland McIntosh, and Long
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for
Beaufort, Charleston, Coastal Bryan, Coastal Chatham, Coastal
Colleton, Coastal Jasper, Coastal Liberty, Coastal McIntosh,
and Tidal Berkeley
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Inland Berkeley, Inland
Bryan, Inland Chatham, Inland Jasper, Inland Liberty, Inland
McIntosh, and Long
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 510 miles south-southwest of Charleston SC or about 440
miles south-southwest of Savannah GA
- 26.3N 84.2W
- Storm Intensity 60 mph
- Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 13 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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The center of Tropical Storm Debby is expected to continue to
strengthen as it moves northward through the eastern Gulf of Mexico
today, before making landfall as a hurricane in the Big Bend region of
Florida on Monday. Debby is then forecast to move northeast across
southeast Georgia Tuesday morning and emerge off of the Georgia
coastline Tuesday night or Wednesday morning with forward speed
slowing. Debby will stall over or near the area through at least mid
week, resulting in prolonged impacts. This includes multiple periods
of heavy rainfall and tropical storm-force wind gusts, starting late
tonight and continuing through Thursday.
There is potential for historic rainfall amounts of 10 to 20", with
local amounts approaching 30". Highest rainfall totals will be across
coastal South Carolina and Georgia, including the Charleston and
Savannah metropolitan areas. If these rainfall totals are realized,
widespread severe flash flooding will occur.
Storm surge inundation of 2 to 4 feet is possible along the southeast
Georgia and southeast South Carolina coast, especially Tuesday through
Thursday. In addition, isolated tornadoes will be possible, with
highest chances across coastal areas.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia.
Potential impacts include:
- Extreme rainfall flooding could prompt widespread rescues. As
event unfolds, rescues could become impossible.
- Rivers and tributaries could overwhelmingly overflow their
banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams,
creeks, canals, and ditches may become raging rivers with
strong currents. Flood control systems and barriers could
become stressed or overwhelmed.
- Flood waters will enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Flood waters could render escape routes impassable.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become impossible and
life threatening. Widespread road and bridge closures with most
weakened or washed out.
- Drinking water and sewer services could be negatively impacted.
- Hazardous containers and materials could possibly be present in
flood waters.
* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across coastal areas of southeast Georgia and southeast South
Carolina. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Areas of inundation of saltwater along immediate shorelines and
in low-lying spots farther inland near rivers and creeks, with
storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several
buildings, mainly near the coast.
- Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
weakened or washed out, especially in normally vulnerable low
spots.
- Moderate to major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching
dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents.
- Minor to moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and
piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings,
especially in unprotected anchorages. Some navigation aids
possibly displaced well off station, creating difficult
navigation near inlets and waterways.
Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia,
little to no impact is anticipated.
* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia. Potential impacts
include:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted,
but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow
rooted.
- Some roads impassable due to debris, particularly within urban
or heavily wooded locations. Hazardous driving conditions on
bridges and other elevated roadways, especially for high
profile vehicles.
- Isolated to scattered power and communications outages.
* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia, especially
closer to the coast. Potential impacts include:
- Isolated to scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of
emergency plans.
- Scattered locations could experience enhanced damage due to
tornadoes with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss,
and communications failures.
- Scattered locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses,
mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees
snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed
about.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.
If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor
drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to
move to safe shelter on higher ground.
Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.
When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.
There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways
to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Charleston SC around 12 PM, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
