Climate Impact Report – 8/6

August 6, 2024

Key Facts Of The Day 8/6

Tropical Storm Debby

As of 8 am ET Tuesday, Debby’s center was located 30 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
Monday night, Tropical Storm Debby crossed into Georgia and weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm.
The storm is expected to bring torrential rainfall and flooding across southern Georgia on Tuesday.
One person has died in Georgia due to a falling tree, and at least four people have died in Florida: one from a downed tree, one on a slick road, and two after a single-vehicle wreck.
On Monday, the Sarasota Police Department in Florida evacuated about 500 people from flooded homes.
In Florida, 3000,000 customers were reported without power at 9:50 am ET. By Monday evening at 9:26 pm ET, 146,034 customers were reported without power.
- As of Tuesday morning, over 112,000 customers in Florida were reported without power.
The Mayor of Savannah, Georgia, warned that “parts of this city will be underwater days from now.”
- Savannah issued a curfew from 10 pm ET Monday to 6 am ET on Tuesday ahead of potential flooding.
- The Savanna Fire Rescue has conducted at least 18 water rescues since Debby made landfall.
- This storm is expected to hit Savannah Tuesday afternoon and dump an entire summer’s worth of rain in less than a week.
Rainfall rates are expected to be 1.5 to 3 inches per hour, causing potential flash flooding.
Portions of southeastern Georgia and South Carolina have seen between 2 to 6 inches of rainfall.
As of Tuesday morning, Charleston received 3 to 4 inches of rain in just six hours, bringing total rainfall to 8 inches.
- Charleston has received more than a month’s worth of rain since the storm started.
- The city is expected to face up to 20 to 30 inches of rain.
- On Monday, roadways flooded, and the city was under a flash flood warning, which was expected to last until at least Tuesday, August 6t, at 12:30 PM.
On Tuesday, residents in South Carolina near the McGrady Dam were warned to “evacuate the area immediately.”
The National Weather Service issued Tornado advisories across parts of the Carolinas including the cities of Wilmington and Florence.
Monday evening, a Tornado Watch was in effect for parts of southeastern Georgia and South Carolina until 1 am ET.
- Tuesday morning, a possible tornado was reported in Berkeley County, South Carolina, where there were several downed power lines and cars flipped over.
- Tornadoes were confirmed Monday night in the South Carolina cities of Edisto Beach and Seabrook Island.
On Monday, President Biden approved emergency declarations for Georgia and South Carolina. President Biden approved emergency funding for the state of Florida on Sunday, August 4th.