Hurricane Debby causes widespread damage across Southeast USA

Hurricane Debby, which struck Florida’s Gulf Coast on Monday morning, has resulted in at least five fatalities and widespread disruption across the southeastern United States. The storm, which made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in the Big Bend region, has since weakened to a tropical storm but continues to pose significant risks due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

The National Hurricane Center issued a dire warning about the “life-threatening” flood threat posed by the slow-moving storm. Debby’s heavy rains are expected to bring catastrophic flooding to parts of Georgia and the Carolinas over the coming days. Authorities are urging residents to prepare for potentially severe conditions as the storm progresses.

Among the casualties reported, a 13-year-old boy was killed in Levy County, near Gainesville, when a tree fell on a mobile home. In Hillsborough County, an 18-wheel truck was found submerged in a canal, with the driver confirmed dead. Additionally, in Dixie County, west of Gainesville, a tragic car crash on Sunday night claimed the lives of a woman and a 12-year-old child. In southern Georgia, a 19-year-old lost their life after a large tree fell on a porch in Moultrie.

The storm’s slow pace is exacerbating the flooding risk, with Jamie Rhome, the deputy director of the National Hurricane Center, warning of the potential for “catastrophic flooding.” As Debby moves northeast, the southeastern coast, including parts of Georgia and the Carolinas, is bracing for torrential rains and possible additional fatalities.

In addition to the human toll, Debby has caused significant property damage and disruption. In Florida, approximately 150,000 homes and businesses were left without power by Monday night, according to PowerOutage.com. An additional 36,000 residents in Georgia and South Carolina are also experiencing power outages. The storm’s impact on infrastructure is expected to be extensive, with recovery efforts likely to be complicated by ongoing adverse weather conditions.

In a surprising twist, Debby’s intense waves and strong winds have also led to a bizarre discovery in the Florida Keys, where the U.S. Border Patrol found 25 packages of cocaine, valued at over $1 million, washed ashore.

Hurricane Debby is forecast to skirt the coast, with heavy rains expected to drench southeastern Georgia and the Carolinas on Tuesday and Wednesday before moving inland near the South Carolina coast on Thursday. Emergency services are on high alert as the storm continues to develop, with officials advising residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.