Tropical Storm Debby is currently nearing the South Carolina coastline with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph as it heads towards an expected landfall early Thursday morning. The storm, located approximately 25 miles east-northeast of Charleston, is moving at a slow pace of 3 mph in a north-northwest direction and is anticipated to weaken post-landfall.
The primary concern associated with Tropical Storm Debby continues to be heavy rainfall. A high risk for excessive rainfall, rated at level 4 out of 4, persists for the Carolinas until early Thursday. South Carolina may experience rainfall totals of up to 25 inches.
As the storm progresses, the high rainfall threat will shift to parts of North Carolina and Virginia on Thursday, marking the fourth consecutive day of heightened risk from Debby. North Carolina could see rainfall amounts of up to 15 inches, while Virginia may experience 3 to 8 inches with isolated areas receiving up to 10 inches.
By Friday, the threat of excessive rainfall is expected to decrease to a moderate risk, rated at level 3 out of 4, extending from eastern West Virginia to much of Vermont. Maryland through Upstate New York and Vermont may receive 2 to 4 inches of rainfall, leading to potential flash floods and river flooding. Long Island and the rest of New England could see 1 to 2 inches of rain, with isolated areas receiving up to 4 inches, possibly resulting in scattered instances of flash flooding.
The storm's center is predicted to move into North Carolina by Thursday evening and then progress into northern Virginia by Friday morning. Subsequently, it is forecasted to accelerate, passing through Pennsylvania by Friday evening and reaching New England by Saturday morning.
