US: Tropical Storm Debby tracking east-northeastward over far southeastern Georgia as of Aug. 6 /update 8

Tropical Storm Debby is tracking east-northeastward over southeastern Georgia Aug. 6. The storm previously made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane near Steinhatchee in the Big Bend region of the Florida Gulf Coast at around 07:00 EDT Aug. 5. As of 11:00, the system's center of circulation was approximately 20 km (15 miles) south of Savannah, Georgia.

Forecast models indicate that the system will move into the North Atlantic Ocean in the coming hours and will strengthen slightly as it moves slowly eastward then northward Aug. 6-7 before making landfall north of Charleston in South Carolina early Aug. 8. The storm will weaken slightly but remain a tropical storm as it tracks northward and then north-northeastward over eastern South Carolina and across central North Carolina through early Aug. 9. The system is then expected to weaken further and transition into a post-tropical depression as it tracks rapidly northeastward from northern North Carolina across Virginia, Maryland, southeastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, southern New York, northwestern Connecticut, Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, and into Maine through early Aug. 11. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and significant changes could occur over the coming days.

As of Aug. 6, officials have issued the following watches and warnings:

Tropical Storm Warning

• Altamaha Sound, Georgia, to Surf City, North Carolina

Tropical Storm Watch

• North of Surf City to Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina

Storm Surge Warning

• Altamaha Sound, Georgia, to South Santee River, South Carolina

Storm Surge Watch

• North of South Santee River, South Carolina, to Cape Fear, North Carolina

Authorities will likely issue new warnings throughout the system's progression in the coming days.

Tropical storm conditions are expected in parts of the tropical storm warning area along the Georgia coast Aug. 6 and along the coast of South Carolina within the tropical storm warning area through late Aug. 8-early Aug. 9. Tropical storm conditions are expected within the tropical storm warning area and possible in the watch area in North Carolina from Aug. 7.

The system is expected to generate potentially historic rainfall totals of 25-50 cm (10-20 inches), with localized maximum amounts of 64 cm (25 inches), bringing areas of catastrophic flooding across the eastern half of South Carolina and parts of southeast North Carolina through Aug. 9. Totals of 10-20 cm (4-8 inches) with localized amounts up to 30 cm (12 inches) are expected in from northern North Carolina through portions of the Mid-Atlantic States through early Aug. 11. This rainfall will likely result in areas of considerable flash and urban flooding, with river flooding possible. An additional scattered 2.5-5 cm (1-2 inches) of rainfall with maximums up to 10 cm (4 inches) is possible across western portions of the central Florida Peninsula and southeast Georgia Aug. 6 and may aggravate ongoing flooding. Isolated tornadoes are possible over coastal South Carolina and southeast coastal North Carolina through Aug. 6-early Aug. 7.

Storm surge is possible along parts parts of the southeastern Atlantic coast over the coming days, with peak surges at high tide reaching 0.6-1.2 meters (2-4 feet) from Altamaha Sound, Georgia, to Cape Fear, North Carolina. Swells generated by the storm will continue to affect the southeast US coast through around Aug. 11. These swells will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Florida authorities declared a state of emergency for 61 of the state's 67 counties before the storm's arrival due to possible significant flooding. Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders affecting thousands of people have been issued across counties in coastal areas of Florida, including mandatory evacuations in parts of Alachua, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Levy, Taylor, and Wakulla counties. Authorities in Savannah, Georgia, issued a curfew 22:00 Aug. 5-06:00 Aug. 6 due to the forecasted heavy rainfall. Officials have extended a curfew that was introduced in Charleston, South Carolina, at 23:00 Aug. 5 with conditions due to be reassessed at 07:00 Aug. 7 at the earliest. Georgia and South Carolina authorities declared a statewide State of Emergency Aug. 4 ahead of Debby's approach.

Authorities have confirmed one fatality in Levy County, Florida, and another fatality in Moultrie, Georgia, due to falling trees. Traffic accidents in Florida due to adverse weather conditions have resulted in one fatality in Hillsborough County and another two fatalities in Dixie County. Storm surge and resultant flooding were reported along parts of the Big Bend coast Aug. 5, with water levels around 5.5 meters (18 feet) recorded at Cedar Key. The Sarasota Police Department had to evacuate around 500 people from flooded homes in the area. People living near the McGrady Dam in Colleton County, South Carolina, have been told to evacuate the area immediately due to the potential for the dam to fail. Damage to buildings, power lines, and vehicles has been reported in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. following a suspected tornado. As of Aug. 6, more than 112,000 people across Florida, more than 23,000 across Georgia, and more than 22,500 across South Carolina are without power.

Thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed at airports across the region Aug. 5-6, including Charleston International Airport (CHS), Miami International Airport (MIA), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Tampa International Airport.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and locations with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. Localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible in hard-hit regions.

Inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary port closures are also possible. Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding may increase the incidence of insect—and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.