COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said the effects of Tropical Storm Debby are "not nearly over" as the state deals with more rain and and eventual landfall from the storm.
McMaster spoke Wednesday at the state's emergency operations center in West Columbia. McMaster said things are not as bad as they could have been so far but that doesn't mean serious risks aren't still out there.
Debby continues to bring heavy rains to the state of South Carolina. It's forecast to dump several inches of rain on already soaked areas through Thursday morning. Also Thursday, the storm is expected to make landfall in the early morning hours and will finally push out of the state by sometime Thursday afternoon.
"We're in the second act of a three act play," McMaster said, with the first being the coastal flooding, the second being the landfall that's coming, and the third being river flooding after the storm passes, the governor said.
So far, the state has had no fatalities since the start of the storm.
More emergency resources are set to be sent to the Pee Dee region of the state where the bulk of the remaining rain and high winds are expected to strike. South Carolina Adjutant General Van McCarty with the SC National Guard said high water vehicles are part of that effort.
Roads will be a concern for many. SCDOT Director Justin Powell said as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, 83 roads statewide were closed, but that list did not included any interstates. About 25 roads are closed. The South Carolina Highway Patrol said they have received many calls for service.
National Weather Service Meteorologist John Quagliariello said the highest rainfall totals have been between 9 and 17 inches of rain, with the worst of that near the coast. Here's a look at some of the highest rainfall totals in the Midlands that were seen by early Wednesday morning:
Cope - 7.04"
Holly Hill - 6.75"
North - 6.21"
Swansea - 5.89"
Summerton - 5.16"
Manning - 4.54"
Sumter - 4.13"
South Carolina Emergency Management Director Kim Stenson said the state is now at Operating Condition 1, which is their highest level of readiness and response. Residents in South Carolina who have questions about Tropical Storm Debby can now call the state’s toll-free hotline. Operators with the State’s Public Information Phone System are available 24 hours a day for as long as needed. If you have questions about Tropical Storm Debby, such as about the state’s response or safety precautions you should take, call this hotline: 1-866-246-0133.
The state is already under a state of emergency that was issued by McMaster on Sunday, and on Monday, President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for the state.