Hurricane Debby’s Remnants Cause Flooding, Power Outages, and Damage Across East Coast and Midwest

The remnants of Hurricane Debby continued to impact parts of the U.S. on Sunday, with flood warnings still in place in North Carolina and widespread power outages reported in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. After making landfall in Florida on August 5th as a hurricane, Debby unleashed a week-long path of destruction along the East Coast, including tornadoes, flooding, and fatalities, before moving into Canada.

Although rivers began receding on Sunday, the threat of additional thunderstorms and flash flooding persisted in central and eastern North Carolina, with the saturated ground from previous rains heightening the risk.

In North Carolina, authorities reported a tragic death in Lumberton when a driver ignored road closure signs and was swept away by floodwaters. The incident underscored the continued danger of floodwaters in the region, as emphasized by local officials who warned residents against driving through flooded areas.

Meanwhile, businesses in New Bern continued to operate despite the ongoing weather threats, with locals noting that they were accustomed to such conditions during hurricane season, though Debby had been particularly severe in recent weeks.

South Carolina was also bracing for more severe weather, with the National Weather Service predicting up to four inches of additional rain in some areas, potentially leading to flash flooding. Charleston County and surrounding areas were on alert for developing thunderstorms, which could exacerbate the already challenging conditions.

The remnants of Debby also left a significant number of residents without power, with over 35,000 homes and businesses still in the dark across Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

In upstate New York, the storm caused extensive damage to agricultural areas, with one farm in Canisteo losing a significant portion of its crops due to flooding. The devastation was severe, with entire fields of corn, soybeans, and hay destroyed, although the farm’s livestock and equipment were mostly saved.

Recovery efforts were underway in Steuben County, where the local government declared a state of emergency and began distributing water and clean-up supplies to affected residents. The Red Cross also set up a shelter for flood victims, highlighting the widespread impact of the storm in the region.

As the clean-up from Debby continued, attention turned to a new potential threat in the Atlantic, with the National Hurricane Center monitoring a tropical depression that could develop into a tropical storm. This new system could approach the Greater Antilles by mid-week, raising concerns about further weather-related disruptions in the near future.

Emergency teams in Pennsylvania were still actively responding to Debby’s aftermath, searching for a missing person and assessing damage across the region, with faith-based organizations joining the relief efforts to support the affected communities.