What You Need To Know
- Debby brought widespread rainfall and flooding to the Southeast
- It made two landfalls in the U.S.
- It was the second hurricane to make landfall in 2024
Debby Brings Heavy Rainfall and Flooding to the Eastern U.S.
Debby was the fourth named storm and the second hurricane to make landfall during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. It made two landfalls and brought heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, and severe weather across the eastern U.S.
Storm’s Formation and Movement
Before becoming Debby, a tropical wave was designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Four on Aug. 2 as the disturbance was moving over Cuba. Once it moved off the coast of Cuba, it became Tropical Depression Four.
It formed into a tropical storm on Saturday, Aug. 3 after moving into the Gulf of Mexico, and became a hurricane on Sunday, Aug. 4. Debby was the fourth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
The storm moved north across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, bringing heavy rain and flooding to Florida’s Gulf Coast, eventually making landfall near Steinhatchee, Fla., early on Monday, Aug. 5 as a Category 1 hurricane.
Impact and Aftermath
Hundreds of people needed water rescues in Florida because of heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding. Rainfall totals around the Tampa Bay area and in southwest Florida exceeded a foot, with totals as high as 22 inches in Myakka City.
Debby slowly pushed inland across north Florida and southern Georgia, weakening back into a tropical storm before pushing offshore into the western Atlantic.
The storm stayed off the coast of South Carolina for over a day as it slowly moved under weak steering currents. While sitting offshore, it brought flooding rainfall to the coastal southeast and strong winds to the coast, from Georgia across the Carolinas.
Tropical Storm Debby made a second landfall early on the morning of Thursday, Aug. 8, near Bulls Bay, S.C.
Rainfall totals in Georgia and the Carolinas piled up as Debby slowly moved inland after its second landfall, bringing widespread flooding. Summerville, S.C. received more than 18 inches of rainfall, with a handful of other places getting over a foot of rainfall from Debby.
Debby eventually weakened into a tropical depression later on Aug. 8, the same day it made its second landfall in South Carolina.
Tornadoes and Damage
On Debby’s right side, it spawned multiple tornadoes across the Southeast U.S. There were 60 tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service in North Carolina on Aug. 8, the second most ever for a single day in the state, and 86 total warnings between Aug. 6-8 in North Carolina. There were several confirmed tornadoes, including an EF3.
Conclusion
Debby brought significant rainfall, flooding, and severe weather to the eastern U.S., resulting in at least 10 deaths and widespread damage. The storm served as a reminder of the importance of staying prepared and informed during hurricane season.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How many landfalls did Debby make?
A: Debby made two landfalls in the U.S.
- Q: What was the total rainfall in Florida?
A: Rainfall totals in Florida exceeded a foot, with totals as high as 22 inches in Myakka City.
- Q: How many tornadoes were confirmed?
A: Several confirmed tornadoes, including an EF3, were spawned by Debby.
A: Debby made two landfalls in the U.S.
A: Rainfall totals in Florida exceeded a foot, with totals as high as 22 inches in Myakka City.
A: Several confirmed tornadoes, including an EF3, were spawned by Debby.
