Residents of coastal Georgia brace for severe weather as Hurricane Debby, expected to downgrade to a tropical storm, threatens catastrophic flooding and dangerous winds. The National Weather Service has issued multiple warnings and watches for the region, emphasizing the potential for historic rainfall and storm surge.

Why It Matters: This storm poses a significant risk to life and property in coastal and low-lying areas of Georgia. With unprecedented rainfall and storm surge expected, residents must prepare for potential evacuations and prolonged power outages. The storm’s impact could disrupt essential services, making it crucial for communities to be ready for immediate action.

Key Details

Current Status: Hurricane Debby is approximately 230 miles southwest of Savannah, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. The storm is moving north-northeast at 10 mph.
Warnings Issued:
A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for several coastal counties, including Bryan, Chatham, Liberty, and McIntosh.

Tropical Storm Warnings extend inland to areas such as Evans and Tattnall.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Bulloch, Candler, and Effingham counties.
Rainfall and Flooding: Coastal Georgia is expected to receive 10 to 20 inches of rain, with some areas potentially experiencing up to 30 inches. This could lead to catastrophic flooding, especially in the Savannah metropolitan area.

Storm Surge and Wind: Coastal areas could see storm surge inundation of 2 to 4 feet. Winds may cause structural damage, uproot trees, and result in widespread power outages.
Tornado Risk: There is a possibility of isolated tornadoes, particularly in coastal areas, which could cause additional damage and complicate emergency response efforts.

Data Point: The storm’s potential to dump up to 30 inches of rain in some areas represents a significant threat, with the risk of overwhelming flood control systems and making some areas uninhabitable.

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What’s Next: The National Weather Service advises residents to finalize emergency preparations, including securing property, gathering essential supplies, and planning evacuation routes. The storm is expected to impact the area through mid-to-late week, with effects lingering as waters recede.

Call to Action: Residents should stay informed through local news and weather channels, ready.gov, and redcross.org for updates and emergency information. Evacuation routes and shelter locations should be known, and those in flood-prone areas should consider moving to higher ground.

Additional Resources