Tropical Storm Debby Causes Widespread Flooding in Carolinas

Tropical Storm Debby made landfall again in South Carolina, causing significant rainfall and fears of flash flooding in already soaked areas. Debby has resulted in six fatalities and multiple power outages, with ongoing risks of further rain and tornadoes. It will continue affecting the northeastern U.S.

Tropical Storm Debby made a second landfall northeast of Charleston early Thursday, unleashing more rain on coastal South and North Carolina, sparking fresh concerns of flash flooding in waterlogged regions. The storm struck land again at Bulls Bay, South Carolina, days after it hit Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, then traveled through northern Florida and Georgia to the Atlantic.

As of Thursday morning, Debby, responsible for at least six deaths, was around 90 miles north of Charleston and 65 miles southwest of Myrtle Beach. The National Hurricane Center warned of up to 3 inches of rain possibly falling on Thursday in eastern South Carolina, raising total rainfall since Monday to over 25 inches in some areas. Southeastern North Carolina could see up to 15 inches, and parts of Virginia up to 10 inches.

Despite less rain on Wednesday, meteorologist Rich Bann from the National Weather Service warned that Debby's moisture would recede inland, posing more flooding risks. The storm's movement northwest at 7 mph and sustained winds of 45 mph suggested weakening to a tropical depression by Thursday afternoon or evening.

Over 140,000 customers were powerless in the Carolinas Thursday morning, per tracking site Poweroutage.us, with another 7,000 still out in Florida. Tornadoes have already caused damages in North Carolina, prompting alerts for further activity Thursday. Residents in Georgia's Bulloch County faced dam failures and subsequent evacuations due to severe flooding, while emergency officials monitored rising rivers in the Carolinas, anticipating prolonged flooding threats.