Weather Prediction Center forecasters have issued rare high risk forecasts for Debby’s rain over the Southeast, signaling a serious flood potential. The storm is expected to bring rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches throughout the week, with localized spots possibly seeing up to 30 inches of rain as the system slows down.
The WPC has issued a level 4 of 4, or high risk, for flooding rainfall due to the anticipated heavy precipitation. Level 4 risks are only issued on about 4% of days annually but account for 39% of flood-related fatalities and 83% of flood-related damages in the continental US.
Freshwater flooding, primarily caused by heavy rainfall, has emerged as the deadliest aspect of tropical systems in recent years, according to the Hurricane Center. This threat is exacerbated by the warming climate resulting from fossil fuel pollution, making it even more dangerous.
