RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Tropical Storm Debby continues into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. As of Sunday, its maximum sustained winds are 65 mph, with gusts up to 75 mph.
The National Hurricane Center expects Debby to strengthen as it moves north and will likely become a Category 1 hurricane before landfall in Florida Monday morning. Further strengthening before landfall is possible.
As of the Sunday update at 11 a.m., Debby is forecast to weaken to a tropical storm after landfall and tracking north along the South Carolina Coast through Wednesday, before lifting inland into central NC Thursday and Friday where it will weaken into a tropical depression.
Rain bands from Debby could reach southeastern North Carolina as soon as late Tuesday and Wednesday.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Florida Gulf Coast from the Suwannee River to the Ochlockonee River. Tropical storm watches have been added to Georgia and South Carolina’s coast as tropical storm conditions will be felt Monday through the middle of next week.
Meteorologist Lance Blocker mentioned a concerning trend in the forecast: Debby could slow down significantly by Tuesday as it parallels the South or North Carolina coast. The National Hurricane Center said Debby could be a “potential significant flooding event.” Some areas in South Carolina could pick up over 15″ of rainfall.
South Carolina is more likely to experience this, but it could also happen farther north along the North Carolina coast. This slowdown could cause significant flooding along the storm’s path.
Either way, tropical storm conditions may be possible in our region by mid-late week. We will continue to provide updates in the coming days. Now is the time to review your hurricane preparedness plans.
For residents in the Triangle area, a good hurricane preparedness plan includes having an emergency kit ready. This kit could contain non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and important documents. It’s also wise to have cash on hand, as power outages can make electronic transactions difficult.
