Debby approaches South Carolina, threatening 'historic' rain (2024)

Tropical Storm Debby strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane over the northeast Gulf of Mexico and made landfall around 7 a.m. Aug. 5 in the Big Bend region of Florida.

From there, Debby is following a northeast track over Florida and into Georgia and South Carolina.Tropical storm and storm surge warningsare posted along the coast of South Carolina.

The Palmetto State began feeling the storms effect late-morning on Aug. 5 — and National Weather Service officials are advising residents to prepare for a long, wet and dangerous couple of days.

"This is a very rare event. It's off the charts," said Ron Morales with the Charleston-based office of the National Weather Service.

Debby has lost some strength as it moves over land, reverting to a tropical storm in the late morning of Aug. 5. While the storm's winds slow, it will remain dangerous as it moves slowly up the southeast coast of the U.S., dumping huge amounts of rain over a period of days, leading to flooding and storm surge concerns.

The National Weather Service is warning that potentially historic levels of rainfall could result in severe and catastrophic flooding. The heaviest rain is expected to begin Aug. 5 and continue at least until Aug. 8, though it could extend even further than that.

The region from Savannah to Charleston could see as much as 30 inches of rain over the next five days.

NWS forecasts that the storm will slow further and essentially stall near South Carolina this week. A similar effect happened with an October 2015 storm system, resulting in what would become known as the "Thousand-Year Flood."

Long-term river flooding could extend recovery efforts in next week and beyond.

"Our rivers are slow to react and slow to recover," Morales said Sunday night.

Peak storm surge is expected to be in the 2 to 4 foot range above ground level from the South Santee River to the Florida-Georgia boarder.

"This is going to be problematic especially with all the heavy rain," Morales said in an Aug. 5 briefing. "Coastal locations, their draining is impacted by how high those tides are, so this just adds an extra level of concern."

The storm surge advisory warns that sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads may be weakened or washed out, especially in normally vulnerable low spots. Moderate to major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes is expected along with strong and numerous rip currents. Minor to moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks and piers is also possible.

While winds weren't initially expected to be a serious problem, that threat has grown. Significant impacts from wind, including possible power outages are expected. With winds expected to pick up later in the day Aug. 5, the NWS advises that remaining efforts to protect life and property should be completed as soon as possible.

Isolated tornadoes are possible with the greatest threat in the areas roughly east of Interstate 95.

Marine condition are expected to "dangerous for all mariners" for much of the week.

In anticipation of the storm, Gov. Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency on Aug. 4.

"With a potentially significant rainfall event forecast for the next few days, it is critical that residents in potentially affected areas start making preparations and plans today — in case it is necessary to take quick action," he said in a press release.

Communities up and down the coast spent the weekend preparing for the storm. Businesses across the Lowcountry closed or moved to remote operations for the next several days. Sand bags were distributed, emergency plans were activated and residents were urged to move to higher ground.

In Charleston County

Charleston County Council unanimously voted to declare a state of emergency for the county due to Debby during an emergency meeting at 11 a.m. Aug. 5.

Ben Webster, county interim emergency management director, said the county is operating a shelter at the county sheriff's administrative support services building at 3691 Leeds Avenue. He added the county will also open up Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School as a general population shelter.

Webster added based on the current forecast, the county could see hurricane force winds, as well as tornado warnings.

"This has the potential to be a historic and potentially unprecedented event," Webster said.

The city of Charleston has activated its active flood mitigation plan, and a State of Emergency has been issued for the city. Local officials advise residents to avoid flooded roads and follow emergency guidance. A list of road closures can be found online atgis.charleston-sc.gov/road-closures-regional/.

Additionally, the following parking garages have been opened for free to the public until at least 8 a.m. Aug. 9:

• Aquarium parking garage (24 Calhoun St.)
• Visitor Center parking garage (63 Mary St.)
• 99 WestEdge parking garage (99 West Edge St.)
• Charleston Tech Center parking garage (997 Morrison Drive)
• East Bay/Prioleau parking garage (25 Prioleau St.)
• St. Phillips Street parking garage (34 St. Phillips)
• The Queen Street parking garage (93 Queen St., opens for free parking at 3 p.m. Aug. 5)

The County parking garages at 90 Cumberland St. and 85 Queen St. downtown also will be open for free parking during the storm.

In Beaufort County

Beaufort County has developeda county-wide evacuation planfor those needing assistance evacuating.First responders and emergency personnel strongly encourage residents to follow evacuation orders if issued.

There is onePalmetto Breezepickup point on Hilton Head Island located in the Port Royal Plaza Shopping Center.

The town has five additional pick-up points around the island which will deliver residents to the Palmetto Breeze pick-up point. They are:

• 151 Gumtree Road (in front of the Boys and Girls Club)
• 173 Marshland Road (in front of the Sea Island Chapel)
• 450 Spanish Wells Road (in front of Grace Community Church)
• 24 Pope Ave. (in front of Holy Family Catholic Church)
• 663 William Hilton Parkway (in front of Hilton Head Resort)

Evacuation routes can be found athurricane.sc/evacuate.

Residents should consider that upon return from an evacuation, essential services may still not be available, so it is critical to make plans for a minimum of 72 hours of food and water, but preferably at least one week, said Bluffton Town Manager Stephen Steese.

The S.C Department of Transportation maintains Hilton Head Island's bridges. The department also decides if and when to shut them down. Town officials strongly discourage travel on the bridges when winds are stronger than 30 mph.

The Town of Bluffton released its own storm prep checklist Aug. 5:

• Remember the 5 P’s: People (Pets), Prescriptions, Paper (i.e., important documents), Personal Needs (i.e., medication, etc.), Priceless Items (i.e., pack your photos albums, etc.) and have a plan for each category.
• Make a paper record of all your contact information for your family and friends in case there is no cell phone service.
• Secure any loose articles on your property that have the potential to become airborne and cause damage, or block pipes or ditches.
• Have a two-week supply of medications before you travel.
• Conduct inspections of drainage features around your house and property including gutters and remove any blockages.
• Turn off irrigation systems.

Madeline Quon and Mitchell Black contributed reporting.

This story will be updated.