Flooding risk expands from Southeast U.S. through the Northeast, Debby on Track to make a Second Landfall in the Carolinas

> Increasing risk of extreme flooding in parts of the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic 
as Debbytracks to the north, with a second landfall expected late tonight 

 
> Additional coastal flooding and storm surge inundation is expected from 
Myrtle Beach through the Outer Banks over the next 24 hours  

 
> Up to 8 inches or more of rainfall is possible from the Appalachians through 
the Northeast later this week with a risk of flash flooding, especially in valleys 
prone to flooding 

 
>Debby is rated a 3 on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes for 
the United States, which warns of widespread and substantial flooding, 
structural damage to buildings and mobile homes, as well as downed 
trees, power outages and coastal inundation.  

AccuWeather Global Weather Center – August 7, 2024

Flooding risk intensifies in the Southeast  

Following days of rainfall that has surpassed 16 inches in some parts of theCarolinas, Debby is forecast to make a second landfall late tonight.  

“Debby continues to meander off the South Carolina coast right now. Thestorm is starting to make a northwest turn and will move toward the South Carolina coast to make landfall somewhere north of Charleston late Wednesday night,” explained DaSilva. “The rainbands are expected to fill in before Debby makes its second landfall. Debby could try to intensify a bit over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream this afternoon, but we do not expect rapid intensification at this time.” 

DaSilva says Debby poses a risk of life-threatening and potentially historicflooding in the Southeast as the storm funnels more moisture from the Atlantic Ocean. 

A broad area along the Southeast coast is expected to deal with 4-8 inches of rain, and a corridor of 8-12 inches is expected close to the projected path of the storm. AccuWeather hurricane experts accurately forecast an area at risk for 12-18 inches of rain across northern Florida, southeastern Georgia andeastern South Carolina, as well as a zone of 18-24 inches of rain along theSouth Carolina coast. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ is set at 32 inches, near the South Carolina shoreline, near where the storm's movement has slowed down.  

“Debby is responsible for at least six deaths since it made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend on Monday morning. Impacts from Debby will intensify Wednesday night in the Southeast,” said AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno. “Tropical air from the south and east will meet drier air from the north and the west. You’re going to get heavy rainbands that set up through Thursday morning in the Carolinas. Rainfall totals have already surpassed 16 inches in spots, and there’s more rain to come.” 

AccuWeather expert meteorologists say 3-6 feet of storm surge is possible along much of the Carolina coastline, which will lead to flooding and beach erosion.  

Rayno says metro areas far from the coast need to be prepared for impacts.  

“We’re concerned about the threat of heavy rain and flooding in Charlotte, Greensboro and Winston-Salem on Thursday,” warned Rayno.  

Wind gusts of 60-80 mph may occur along the Carolina coast. Such winds could bring down trees and power lines and cause some structural damage. 

To the north and east of where the storm's center tracks, tornadoes will be possible. Multiple tornadoes have been confirmed across the Southeast since Debby made landfall in Florida.  

There have been major and life-threatening flooding impacts this week, but Rayno says the rain will eliminate most of the ongoing drought issues in theregion.    
 

“Much of the South Carolina and parts of the Southeast have been dealing with drought, but Debby is quickly changing that,” said Rayno. “Many droughts end in floods, unfortunately.” 

Major flooding threat shifts to the Northeast  

AccuWeather expert meteorologists are sounding the alarm about a major flooding risk in the Northeast once Debby begins to pick up forward speed as it lifts north between Thursday and Friday, eventually transitioning into a tropical rainstorm.  

“Debby is going to be drawn north by a large dip in the jet stream that’s over the Midwest right now. This storm is going to hit the gas pedal and speed up to the northeast toward the end of the week,” said DaSilva. 

AccuWeather expert meteorologists are forecasting a zone from Virginia through Pennsylvania and northward into upstate New York and Vermont that can receive 4-8 inches of rain. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ for thenortheastern U.S. is 12 inches. 

“This is going to be a very stormy setup for the Northeast,” said Rayno. “We’ll be dealing with more thunderstorms before Debby even arrives.”  

AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham is urging people in valleys and other flood-prone areas across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast to be prepared for flash flooding.  

"People should be prepared to seek higher ground and to know of an evacuation route and have a plan in place," warned Buckingham. 

AccuWeather expert meteorologists have issued a high risk to lives andproperty in a zone that stretches across parts of West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.  

Prepare for impacts 

Along with the threat of flash flooding and beach hazards, AccuWeather expert meteorologists say families and businesses along Debby’s path should be prepared for potential power outages and major travel impacts.  

AccuWeather is forecasting 2,000 flight cancellations on Thursday, 2,400 flight cancellations on Friday and 700 flight cancellations on Saturday.  

Debby is expected to end up on a short list of hurricanes that created devastating flooding in the Carolinas. Hurricane Matthew unloaded up to 20 inches of rain over several days in October 2016. Two years later, Hurricane Florence topped Matthew with up to 36 inches of rain, which set rainfall records for a tropical system in the region. Both systems brought catastrophic flooding. When all is said and done Debby is expected to cause tens of billions of dollars in total damage and economic loss in the United States. 

AccuWeather Forecast Graphics

Additional AccuWeather Resources:

Slow-moving Debby threatens catastrophic flooding to Carolinas, Virginia
 

Parts of Carolinas underwater as Tropical Storm Debby closes in for second landfall 
 

AccuWeather Hurricane Tracking & Storm Radar     

Hurricane season: AccuWeather's guide for first-timers     

How to use a generator safely after a hurricane strikes  

AccuWeather Forecasts Explosive 2024 Hurricane Season   

Rapidly Intensifying Hurricanes Near Coastline Pose Major Threat To US ThisSeason