Hurricane Debby Expected to Bring Historic Flooding to the Carolinas
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Residents in the Carolinas are preparing for heavy rainfall and potentially historic flooding as Hurricane Debby makes its way towards the East Coast. The storm, which made landfall in Florida earlier today causing widespread destruction, is now on a steady path northward, bringing with it high-velocity winds and torrential rains.
Hurricane Strength and its Potential Impact
The National Weather Service has noted that Debby, wielding 80 mph winds, will likely slow down now that it has reached land. While storm surge warnings have been issued for coastal South Carolina, predicting 2-4 feet of surge, the most significant disturbance will be the persistent downpour.
Concerns are particularly heightened for Florida’s Gulf Coast, with hurricane warnings in effect not only for counties along the Big Bend but extending inland, reaching southern Georgia. In these areas, 6-10 feet of storm surge is expected along the Gulf Coast from Ochlockonee River to Suwannee River.
Predicted Rainfall and Flooding
Forecasters believe that Debby will stall south of the Grand Strand, resulting in continuous rainfall and onshore flow, leading to coastal flooding and severe beach erosion. Although the wind threat is minimized due to Debby’s probable weakening to a tropical storm, this relentless onslaught of rainfall presents a high risk for massive flooding.
Heavy rains and wind in excess of 30 mph are expected to persist through Tuesday to Thursday, possibly even extending into the weekend. Current estimates predict a staggering 7-19 inches of rainfall, drawing comparisons to the conditions experienced during Hurricane Matthew.
These downpours could catalyze flash flooding, putting the Grand Strand under a rising threat. The Weather Prediction Center indicated a 15% chance for flash flooding today, climbing to a 40% threat for the entire area and an alarming 70% for Myrtle Beach by Tuesday. Unfortunately, the outlook for Wednesday only worsens.
Implications for Rivers
Such excess rainfall could push numerous rivers into a moderate or major flood stage, even after the storm has ended, one of the severe repercussions of Hurricane Matthew. At its peak, Matthew dropped 12-18 inches of rain on already soaked soils, leading to substantial flooding.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed and take every necessary precaution during this period. While storms of this magnitude are inherently unpredictable, being prepared can significantly impact the severity of personal loss and damages.
Reported by HERE News Network
