Anika Begay
By Rich McKay and Tyler Clifford
ATLANTA (Reuters) – Tropical Storm Debby pounded coastal Georgia and South Carolina on Tuesday with a torrential downpour that could cause “catastrophic flooding” in Charleston, Savannah and other cities in the southeastern United States, the National Hurricane Center said.
At least six people have died in Florida and Georgia as a result of the storm, which is expected to linger on the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic coasts for days.
“Debby is forecast to produce potentially historic rainfall
totals of 10 to 20 inches (25 cm to 51 cm), with maximum amounts of 25 inches (63.5 cm), causing catastrophic flooding in parts of eastern half of South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina through Friday,” the NHC said.
The governors of those states have declared a state of emergency.
The storm had winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) as it moved slowly at 5 mph (8 km/h) toward the northeast, with its center located about 50 miles (80 km) east of Savannah, Georgia, on Tuesday evening. Heavy rains could cause flooding in parts of the mid-Atlantic through Sunday, the Miami-based center said.
More than 8 inches (20 cm) of rain has already fallen in Savannah and Valdosta, Georgia, the National Weather Service said. Charleston and Hilton Head, South Carolina, have received between 10 and 12 inches (25 and 30 cm) of rain so far, the weather service said, with more on the way.
In Savannah, rain was pouring down outside the historic Bellwether House, a 16-room bed and breakfast in the city’s historic district, but General Manager Victoria Hill wasn’t too worried.
“This place was built in 1876,” he said. “It’s built rock solid, and you can imagine how many storms we’ve had in the last century.”
Hill said many tourists canceled their reservations because of the storm, but a handful of guests stayed.
“Here, we are open and holding firm. We will overcome this situation together.”
Charleston Mayor William Cogswell said more than 2 feet (61 centimeters) of rain was expected in his city before the storm passes. Even at low tide, storm surges of 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) will prevent floodwaters from flowing out to sea, he said.
“There aren’t enough pumps in the world” to handle all that rain, Cogswell said Monday night. He has since extended the city’s curfew through Wednesday morning.
“No one should be out on the streets in these conditions unless it is an absolute emergency,” the mayor said.
About 50 miles west of Charleston, fears of a breach at the McGrady Dam in Colleton County, part of the state’s Lowcountry, prompted the county sheriff’s office to immediately order residents to evacuate Tuesday.
Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in the Big Bend region of Florida’s Gulf Coast on Monday morning, dumping 8 to 16 inches (20 to 41 cm) of rain in parts of central Florida, according to local reports. The storm was blamed for five deaths in Florida and one near Valdosta, Georgia.
Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said the city could expect a “once in a thousand year” rainfall event.
“This will literally create islands in the city,” Johnson said.
Cedrick King, a businessman originally from Brunswick (NYSE:), Georgia, said he and his family had packed their things Tuesday and were ready to make the five-hour drive to Atlanta.
“We’re heading north, away from this storm,” he said.
