Tropical Storm Debby hit Florida hard on Monday with heavy rain and strong winds, resulting in at least four deaths and significant flooding. The storm has now moved towards the Eastern Seaboard, threatening to inundate some of the South's most historic cities with record-breaking rainfall.

The National Hurricane Center warned that rainfall could reach up to 30 inches (76 cm) in some areas, with 18 inches (46 cm) expected in central and northern Florida. Lake City, in particular, faced a flash flood emergency as up to a foot (30.5 cm) of rain had already fallen with more expected.

The storm's impact could also be severe in Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized that even though the storm is shifting towards Georgia, Florida must stay vigilant as the water flows south from upstream areas. “It is a very saturating, wet storm,” DeSantis said, adding that residents should be prepared for continued challenges in the coming week.

Debby made landfall early Monday as a Category 1 hurricane but has since weakened to a tropical storm. It caused widespread flooding and contributed to at least five deaths. In one incident, a truck driver lost control on Interstate 75 in the Tampa area, leading to a fatal crash. Other casualties include a 13-year-old boy who died when a tree fell on a mobile home, and a 38-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy who were killed in a car crash in Dixie County. Additionally, a 19-year-old man died in Georgia when a large tree fell on his porch.

As of Monday afternoon, nearly 200,000 customers in Florida and Georgia were without power, down from a peak of over 350,000. About 17,000 workers were engaged in power restoration efforts. More than 1,600 flights were canceled nationwide, affecting many Florida airports.

In Sarasota, Florida, flooding was severe, with rainfall amounts double the predicted levels. Savannah, Georgia, faced a curfew from 10 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday as the city braced for worsening conditions. Charleston, South Carolina, implemented an emergency plan, including sandbags and parking garages to protect residents’ vehicles from rising floodwaters. A curfew was also announced for Charleston starting at 11 p.m.

North Carolina is under a state of emergency due to the storm, with coastal areas prone to flooding. This region has experienced significant flooding from tropical systems in recent years, with severe impacts from hurricanes like Joaquin, Matthew, and Florence.

President Joe Biden has approved emergency declarations for both South Carolina and Florida and is considering a request from Georgia for additional federal aid. Vice President Kamala Harris has postponed her planned visit to Savannah due to the storm.

​Debby made landfall near Steinhatchee, a small Florida community, marking the second hurricane to impact the area in under a year. Local resident Sue Chewning, who has lived through numerous storms, expressed her community’s resilience despite the challenging conditions.

Inspiration for article - credit - JEFF MARTIN and CHRISTOPHER O’MEARA with AP