WEATHER
Which states have declared state of emergency ahead of storm Debby?
Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay informed about local conditions as the storm intensifies in the south-east.
As Tropical Storm Debby intensifies in the Gulf of Mexico and approaches the Florida coast, several states along the southeastern United States have declared states of emergency in preparation for the storm’s potential impacts.
As of the latest updates, Tropical Storm Debby is expected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region early Monday. The storm is forecast to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential storm surge to the affected areas.
After landfall, Debby is predicted to move across northern Florida and then stall over coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina. Debby is the fourth named storm of the season.
“There’s some really amazing rainfall totals being forecast and amazing in a bad way,” Michael Brennan, director of the hurricane center, said. “That would be record-breaking rainfall associated with a tropical cyclone for both the states of Georgia and South Carolina if we got up to the 30 inch level.”
The states that have declared a state of emergency
Florida was the first state to take action, with Governor Ron DeSantis issuing Executive Order 24-157 on 2 August, declaring a state of emergency for 61 out of 67 counties. This declaration covers nearly the entire state, excluding only a few counties in south Florida. The order allows for the mobilization of resources and coordination of emergency response efforts across the affected areas.
Georgia followed suit, with Governor Brian Kemp declaring a state of emergency for the entire state. This proactive measure enables Georgia to prepare for potential flooding, power outages, and other storm-related impacts as Debby is expected to move inland after making landfall in Florida.
South Carolina also joined the list of states taking precautionary measures. On Sunday, August 4, Governor Henry McMaster declared a State of Emergency for South Carolina in anticipation of Tropical Storm Debby’s effects later in the week.