Tropical Storm Debby, now downgraded to a tropical depression, continued its northward trek across the U.S. on Friday, after wreaking havoc in the southern states earlier in the week.
The storm has been linked to at least eight fatalities and extensive damage, prompting warnings and disruptions as it moves toward the Northeast.
Debby, which made landfall for a second time near Bulls Bay, South Carolina, on Thursday, had initially struck Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane before traversing northern Florida and Georgia. The storm’s impact has been severe, with tornadoes reported in the Carolinas.
In North Carolina, a man was killed and several structures, including a church and a school, were damaged by tornadoes that also resulted in significant infrastructure disruptions.
Flash floods and tornadoes from Debby result in widespread damage and travel chaos.The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecast that Debby will continue to weaken through Sunday.
However, residents of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York should brace for ongoing heavy rain, flash flooding, and the potential for tornadoes as the storm accelerates northeastward.
The NWS emphasized that despite the storm’s weakening, the risk of flooding, both flash and river, remains significant over the next two days.
Debby has caused widespread travel disruptions, with multiple airports, including New York’s LaGuardia and Washington DC’s Reagan, experiencing flight cancellations and delays.
The storm’s effects have also led to dangerous conditions on the roads, with parts of Interstate 26 in South Carolina closed due to severe flooding. Berkeley County, in particular, has been severely impacted, with some areas under 17 inches of water.
Emergency services continue to respond to the crisis, and residents are advised to avoid traveling in flooded areas and heed local warnings.