Hurricane Debby Makes Landfall in Florida
Category 1 Storm Threatens Catastrophic Flooding and Life-Threatening Situation
TAMPA, Florida — Hurricane Debby made its arrival in the Big Bend coast of Florida early Monday, bringing with it a potential for record-setting rains, catastrophic flooding, and life-threatening storm surge. The storm is expected to cross the northern part of the state before taking a halt over the coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina.
The storm reached land as a Category 1 storm near Steinhatchee, a small community in northern Florida with less than 1,000 residents, along Florida’s Gulf Coast. At the time of landfall, it carried maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and was moving northeast at 10 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Heavy Rain Creates Fears of Catastrophic Flooding
Despite making landfall in one of Florida’s least populated areas, forecasters issued a warning that heavy rain could lead to catastrophic flooding in Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. Around 214,000 customers had lost power in Florida by Monday morning, and a tornado watch was established for parts of Florida and Georgia.
“Right now, we are trying to secure everything from floating away,” mentioned Sheryl Horne, whose family owns the Shell Island Fish Camp along the Wakulla River in St. Marks, Florida.
Flooding and Power Outages
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee alerted Monday morning that heavy flooding was the biggest concern in the Big Bend regions, with storm surge expected across Apalachee Bay. The effects of the storm were also felt inland; in Marion County, south of Gainesville, where sheriff’s officials reported fallen power lines and trees on roadways and homes.
Expected to move eastward over northern Florida and stall over the coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina, Hurricane Debby is forecast to bring potential record-setting rainfall, totaling up to 30 inches in the region starting Tuesday. This could result in life-threatening storm surge along Florida’s Gulf Coast, with 6 to 10 feet of inundation anticipated on Monday between the Ochlockonee and Suwannee rivers.
Emergencies Declared and Preparations for Flooding
Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, declared a state of emergency for 61 of Florida’s 67 counties, with the National Guard activating 3,000 guard members. Utility crews from in and out of state were ready to restore power after the storm. In Tampa alone, officials distributed more than 30,000 sandbags to protect against flooding.
Other States Keeping a Watchful Eye
Though the major impact of Hurricane Debby is expected in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, authorities in several other northeastern states, including New York and Vermont, are monitoring the storm’s progress. These states have recently experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms and are still dealing with flooding and saturated ground.
