Storm number 4 of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, named Debby, made landfall in Big Bend, Florida, USA on August 5.
The heavy downpour caused significant damage and resulted in at least 5 deaths as of now, including 2 children.
According to the morning storm report on August 6, the storm center of Debby was approximately 90 km northwest of Jacksonville, Florida. Storm forecasters predicted that storm number 4 would bring record-breaking rainfall and severe flooding from northern Florida to southeastern North Carolina by August 9.
Although the strongest winds have decreased to approximately 72 km/h, the storm has devastated much of the Florida Gulf Coast, causing power outages, flooded streets, and fallen trees.
Charleston may face more than 600 mm of heavy rainfall over the next 5 days, while Savannah may face average summer rainfall over the same period. Both cities have implemented mandatory curfews.
The storm is expected to move slowly eastward through Georgia, then into the Atlantic Ocean. By August 7, Debby will shift northward and may intensify before making landfall in South Carolina on August 8.
North Carolina will also be affected, with the storm expected to appear there on August 9.
When the storm primarily moves through Florida, more than 133,000 customers in the state were still without power as of 1 am Eastern Time on August 6.
This number is over 28,000 in Georgia and is likely to increase as the storm's heavy rain continues throughout the morning of August 6.
Authorities have announced the latest death toll from the devastating storm as 5 people, including 4 in Florida and 1 in Georgia.
Further south in Sarasota, Florida, police and emergency responders drove through flooded streets and successfully evacuated around 500 people from flooded homes.
The city of Sarasota received over 300 mm of rainfall from the storm, exceeding the amount of rainfall in a month.
The severe flooding caused by Debby has also devastated critical infrastructure across the state.
Due to Debby's slow movement on land, some areas may be flooded with 300-900 mm of rainfall, or even more, potentially causing more damage to roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to support evacuation and rescue efforts.
Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina, who has not yet been affected, has declared a state of emergency.
President Joe Biden has also approved the request for a state of emergency from Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, to mobilize relief efforts.
