COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tropical Storm Debby is expected to bring heavy flooding to South Carolina next week, with some rain totals potentially reaching levels not seen in the state in years. The concerns has prompted News19 t o issue Weather Impact Alert Days for Monday through Thursday.
The latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center has as a strong tropical storm with winds of 65 miles an hour. It's expected to get to hurricane status, however, before moving ashore along the Big Bend region along Florida's Gulf Coast sometime Monday morning .
It will then move east-northeastward, bringing significant rainfall to central and southern South Carolina.
The environment is primed for a major rainfall event, with a broad upper-level trough and a stalled frontal boundary across central South Carolina. Recently saturated soil is leading to an increasing risk of flash flooding.
Areas southeast of I-20 are at high risk for excessive rainfall on Tuesday, with 3-6 inches of rain expected and isolated amounts up to 8 inches. Widespread flash flooding is possible, especially along and south of I-20. Just note, these totals continue to shift and could go higher as we get closer to the event.
Along with heavy rain, strong winds are expected to gust through the region leading to the potential of down trees and powerlines, as winds could gust up to 30 mph.
Forecast uncertainty increases midweek, but periods of intense, tropical rainfall are expected to continue through Friday.
The NHC track indicates the storm will be slow moving providing significant rainfall, with WPC projecting up to 15-20" near the coast, with fewer totals the further Northeast you go.
Flash flooding will be a serious concern. High temperatures will be below normal.