COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has issued a state of emergency as what's now Tropical Storm Debby is expected to bring potentially dangerous flooding to the state.
McMaster issued the declaration Sunday afternoon. A state of emergency does not mean that conditions for the storm are present; rather, it allows the state to begin making preparations. The state's emergency operations plan is now enabled and allows state agencies to begin coordinating.
McMaster is asking people to monitor local forecasts and to begin taking proper precautions.
"Team South Carolina is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Debby and has begun preparing for its potential impact on our state," said Governor Henry McMaster. "With a potentially significant rainfall event forecast for the next few days, it is critical that residents in potentially affected areas start making preparations and plans today—in case it is necessary to take quick action."
The latest model from the National Hurricane Center has Debby moving into Florida Monday morning as a hurricane, then pushing further inland. It will move across Georgia Monday into Tuesday before finally moving back into the Atlantic somewhere near Savannah and Hilton Head. late Tuesday. But there's the problem: once it reaches that point, it's expected to largely stall for about a day or so, dumping torrential rain in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and well inland. That could trigger dangerous flash flooding even into parts of the Midlands. Late Wednesday, the storm will move inland into South Carolina before eventually tracking out of the state.
Currently, a tropical storm watch is in effect for a large portion of the state's coast. That will eventually be upgraded to a tropical storm warning. Flood watches and warnings are expected for much of the state.
SCEMD has several resources available for people to prepare for hurricanes, including hurricane.sc. This site is an interactive tool for anyone needing a quick reference on hurricane preparedness.