Tropical Storm Debby Strengthens, Threatens Southeast Atlantic Coast

Patrick Brafford, a beach lifeguard manager, uses a tie down strap to help secure a compact track loader and a lifeguard tower to help pull it further away from the water in preparation of potential s

Tropical Storm Debby rapidly intensified on Sunday and is expected to become a hurricane as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida. The storm is forecasted to reach Category 1 hurricane status before making landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on Monday. Following landfall, Debby is projected to move eastward over northern Florida and stall over coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina, potentially causing historic rainfall and catastrophic flooding from early Tuesday through Friday.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported that Debby was located about 130 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned residents to prepare for significant rainfall, saturation, flooding events, and possible power outages. Flood control measures are being implemented to minimize power interruptions due to flooding.

Debby is the fourth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, following Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl, and Tropical Storm Chris. A hurricane warning has been issued for parts of the Big Bend and the Florida Panhandle, with tropical storm warnings in place for various areas along Florida's West Coast and the southern Florida Keys.

Projected to stall over Georgia and South Carolina, causing historic rainfall and flooding.

Debby expected to reach Category 1 hurricane status before hitting Florida's Big Bend region.

Maximum sustained winds of 65 mph reported by the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters anticipate 6 to 12 inches of rain, with isolated areas receiving up to 18 inches, leading to flash and urban flooding. Storm surge warnings have been issued for the Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay, with potential surges of 2 to 4 feet along most of the coast and up to 7 feet in the Big Bend region. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations have been ordered in several coastal counties.

State of emergency declarations have been made for 61 of Florida's 67 counties, with the National Guard activating 3,000 members. Federal resources have been pre-positioned, and preparations are underway to mitigate the impact of the storm. Memories of a 2012 tropical storm named Debby, which caused significant damage and loss of life, loom large as residents brace for the approaching hurricane.