As Hurricane Debby slowly moves along the Georgia-Carolina coastline, it poses a significant threat of prolonged heavy rainfall, with potential totals exceeding 2 feet. Forecast models suggest that some areas could experience over 30 inches of rain, depending on the storm's duration, which may extend until at least Thursday.
The National Hurricane Center warns that this excessive rainfall is likely to result in flash floods, urban flooding, and significant river flooding in the affected regions. Cities like Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, could receive a month's worth of rain in a single day, or even an entire summer's worth throughout the storm's passage.
The anticipated rainfall amounts could challenge state records for tropical cyclone-induced precipitation, with Georgia's record standing at 27.85 inches from 1994's Alberto and South Carolina's at 23.63 inches from 2018's Florence.
Moreover, the intensification of the storm is expected to elevate the risk of storm surge, particularly along Florida's Big Bend, where surges of 6 to 10 feet above ground level are projected. Coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina may also experience surges ranging from 2 to 4 feet.
Climate change is playing a significant role in exacerbating the impacts of hurricanes like Debby. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall, while warmer oceans fuel the development of stronger hurricanes capable of generating higher storm surges due to rising sea levels.
The combination of warmer air and ocean temperatures, attributed to human-induced climate change, is contributing to the increased intensity and precipitation of tropical systems like Hurricane Debby.
