Charleston Mayor William Cogswell has announced the extension of a city-wide curfew in response to heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby. The curfew was implemented at 11 p.m. on Monday as a precautionary measure ahead of the severe weather conditions.
During a news conference on Tuesday morning, Mayor Cogswell revealed that the city has already experienced eight inches of rainfall, with an additional three to six inches expected within the next 12 to 14 hours. City officials are closely monitoring the situation and plan to reassess conditions at 7 a.m. on Wednesday to determine whether the curfew can be lifted.
Charleston Police Chief Chito Walker emphasized the importance of adhering to road closures and urged residents not to drive around barricades. Mayor Cogswell expressed concern about reckless behavior, stating, 'We especially don’t need any yahoos driving through the water and causing damage to property.'
Despite the challenging weather conditions, there were no overnight rescues required in Charleston, and no injuries to first responders or residents have been reported. While the rainfall is expected to decrease on Wednesday, Mayor Cogswell warned that strong winds could lead to downed trees and power outages due to the saturated grounds.
The city remains vigilant in its response to Tropical Storm Debby, prioritizing the safety and well-being of its residents. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation continues to unfold.
