Debby, currently a Category 1 hurricane, is expected to weaken to a tropical storm as it moves inland over Florida's Big Bend region. The system will be cut off from the warm water that fuels it, leading to a reduction in wind speed. However, this decrease in wind intensity will not diminish the threat posed by Debby's torrential rainfall.
Large portions of Florida and southern Georgia are bracing for heavy rainfall, which is forecasted to persist for several days. The storm is projected to track north-northeast, with its center likely crossing into southern Georgia by mid-afternoon. Subsequently, Debby is expected to move slowly through southeastern Georgia before emerging over the Atlantic by mid-afternoon on Tuesday.
There is a possibility that Debby could slow down significantly by Tuesday night, potentially stalling just off the coast of South Carolina through at least Thursday morning. During this time, coastal South Carolina may experience intense rainfall, with the storm potentially unloading up to 30 inches of rain on parts of the state by Friday night.
As Debby continues its path, another landfall is anticipated, possibly occurring on Thursday as the storm moves north over the South Carolina coast and then progresses into central North Carolina by Friday. Debby is expected to rapidly lose strength once it moves back over land, likely becoming a tropical depression later in the week.
The forecast suggests that regions from northern Florida to southeastern North Carolina could receive over a foot of rain from Debby's impact. Residents in these areas are advised to stay informed about the storm's progression and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
