Tropical Storm Debby: South Carolina hit with over a foot of rain as Florida contends with deadly hazards
At least five people are dead amid devastating rain and flooding from Tropical Storm Debby
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Tropical Storm Debby slowed over South Carolina Tuesday, bringing over a foot of rain and heavy flooding to the region as Florida reeled from the deadly after-effects of the storm.
Debby, which was downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane, crossed the Florida-Georgia border late Monday. Green Pond, South Carolina recorded more than 14 inches of rainfall on Tuesday as the storm hovered off the state’s coast.
Meanwhile, tornadoes wreaked havoc on the state. One tornado wiped out power lines and damaged homes on Edisto Beach, while another likely tornado caused damage on Isle of Palms, the South Carolina Daily Gazette reported.
Florida is also reeling from Debby. “Deadly” hazards remained a threat to Sunshine State residents on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. The dangers included downed power lines, continued flooding and heat stroke amid widespread power outages.
Florida officials are also warning residents to properly ventilate rooms with generators to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
At least five people have been killed by the storm, which is expected to strengthen while hovering off the South Carolina coast on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
Mapped: Tracking Tropical Storm Debby as it makes landfall in Florida
Tropical Storm Debby could prove just as dangerous as a major hurricane
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Tracking Topical Storm Debby
Mapped: Tracking Hurricane Debby as it approaches Florida
Hurricane Debby is expected to make landfall in Florida on Monday morning bringing life-threatening storm surge
Thirteen year old killed during storm
A 13-year-old boy died after a tree fell on a mobile home in Levy County, Florida in the middle of Hurricane Debby.
On Monday, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office announced that the young boy was killed when winds caused the tree to topple over, crushing the inside of the home.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with this family as they deal with this tragedy. We encourage everyone to use extreme caution as they begin to assess and clean up the damage. Downed powerlines and falling trees are among the many hazards. One life is too many. Please be safe,” Sheriff McCallum said in a statement.
No other injuries were reported.
Another death confirmed
Another person has died in Florida during Tropical Storm Debby, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a Facebook post.
The driver of a semi-truck was found deceased inside the cab of the truck on Monday afternoon after he veered off the road and into a bypass canal on I-275 in the early hours of the morning.
“We send our condolences to the driver’s family,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Even the harshest conditions didn’t stop our deputies working swiftly in this tragic situation.”
The driver’s death is the second one to be confirmed in Florida amid the tropical storm.
In photos: Debby makes landfall in Florida as a Hurricane
President Joe Biden briefed on Debby
President Joe Biden was briefed on his administration’s ongoing response to Tropical Storm Debby Monday morning, deploying FEMA to states affected by the storm and remaining in contact with governors.
Biden already approved Florida’s request for an Emergency Declaration on Saturday. Rescue personnel will bring meals and clean water to those in need.
FEMA staff are being deployed to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina to assist with ongoing needs as well.
Two other reportedly killed in Dixie County
An adult and child were reportedly killed in a car crash in Dixie County, Florida on Sunday evening while driving on wet roads, ABC News first reported.
A 38-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle while driving and crashed into a center median guardrail before overturning the car, the Florida Highway Patrol told the news outlet.
A 12-year-old was killed in the crash. Another 14-year-old boy was seriously injured.
That brings the known death total up to four.
Ron DeSantis warns Florida residents: Don’t try to dry through the storm
Florida governor Ron DeSantis had a warning Monday to residents as tropical storm Debby continues to bring heavy rains and flooding to the state.
“When the water rises, when you have streets that can be flooded, that’s hazardous,” DeSantis said at a public briefing. “Don’t try to drive through this. We don’t want to see traffic fatalities adding up.”
Watch his full remarks here.
South Carolina braces for Debby’s arrival
As tropical storm Debby continues to work its way across the southeast, South Carolina is bracing for the extreme weather to arrive later this week.
By Saturday morning, the state could receive between 10 and 20 inches of rain along its coastal planes, with predicted storm surge of up to four feet and a 70 percent chance of flash flooding along the coast, according to the South Carolina Daily Gazette.
Over 500 people have been rescued in this Florida city
Sarasota, Florida, is among the cities on the state’s Gulf Coast hit hard by tropical storm Debby.
According to local first responders, about 500 people have been rescued from flooded homes so far.
What Debby’s landfall looked like from space
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