Tropical Storm Debby: South Carolina hit with over a foot of rain as Florida contends with deadly hazards

Tropical Storm Debby slowed over South Carolina Tuesday, bringing over a foot of rain and heavy flooding to the region as Florida reeled from the deadly after-effects of the storm.

Debby, which was downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane, crossed the Florida-Georgia border late Monday. Green Pond, South Carolina recorded more than 14 inches of rainfall on Tuesday as the storm hovered off the state’s coast.

Meanwhile, tornadoes wreaked havoc on the state. One tornado wiped out power lines and damaged homes on Edisto Beach, while another likely tornado caused damage on Isle of Palms, the South Carolina Daily Gazette reported.

Florida is also reeling from Debby. “Deadly” hazards remained a threat to Sunshine State residents on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. The dangers included downed power lines, continued flooding and heat stroke amid widespread power outages.

Florida officials are also warning residents to properly ventilate rooms with generators to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

At least five people have been killed by the storm, which is expected to strengthen while hovering off the South Carolina coast on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

Key Points

• Georgia and South Carolina to face ‘life-threatening’ storm surge

• Mapped: Tropical Storm Debby’s path

• At least five dead from Tropical Storm Debby

• Kamala Harris delays North Carolina rally with new running mate Tim Walz due to Debby

• Thousands of flights disrupted after Storm Debby batters Florida

Tracking Topical Storm Debby

Monday 5 August 2024 17:00 , Ariana Baio

Mapped: Tracking Hurricane Debby as it approaches Florida

Thirteen year old killed during storm

Monday 5 August 2024 17:20 , Ariana Baio

A 13-year-old boy died after a tree fell on a mobile home in Levy County, Florida in the middle of Hurricane Debby.

On Monday, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office announced that the young boy was killed when winds caused the tree to topple over, crushing the inside of the home.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with this family as they deal with this tragedy. We encourage everyone to use extreme caution as they begin to assess and clean up the damage. Downed powerlines and falling trees are among the many hazards. One life is too many. Please be safe,” Sheriff McCallum said in a statement.

No other injuries were reported.

Another death confirmed

Monday 5 August 2024 18:00 , Ariana Baio

Another person has died in Florida during Tropical Storm Debby, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a Facebook post.

The driver of a semi-truck was found deceased inside the cab of the truck on Monday afternoon after he veered off the road and into a bypass canal on I-275 in the early hours of the morning.

“We send our condolences to the driver’s family,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Even the harshest conditions didn’t stop our deputies working swiftly in this tragic situation.”

The driver’s death is the second one to be confirmed in Florida amid the tropical storm.

In photos: Debby makes landfall in Florida as a Hurricane

Monday 5 August 2024 18:30 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden briefed on Debby

Monday 5 August 2024 19:00 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden was briefed on his administration’s ongoing response to Tropical Storm Debby Monday morning, deploying FEMA to states affected by the storm and remaining in contact with governors.

Biden already approved Florida’s request for an Emergency Declaration on Saturday. Rescue personnel will bring meals and clean water to those in need.

FEMA staff are being deployed to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina to assist with ongoing needs as well.

Two other reportedly killed in Dixie County

Monday 5 August 2024 19:40 , Ariana Baio

An adult and child were reportedly killed in a car crash in Dixie County, Florida on Sunday evening while driving on wet roads, ABC News first reported.

A 38-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle while driving and crashed into a center median guardrail before overturning the car, the Florida Highway Patrol told the news outlet.

A 12-year-old was killed in the crash. Another 14-year-old boy was seriously injured.

That brings the known death total up to four.

Ron DeSantis warns Florida residents: Don’t try to dry through the storm

Monday 5 August 2024 20:08 , Josh Marcus

Florida governor Ron DeSantis had a warning Monday to residents as tropical storm Debby continues to bring heavy rains and flooding to the state.

“When the water rises, when you have streets that can be flooded, that’s hazardous,” DeSantis said at a public briefing. “Don’t try to drive through this. We don’t want to see traffic fatalities adding up.”

Watch his full remarks here.

South Carolina braces for Debby’s arrival

Monday 5 August 2024 20:38 , Josh Marcus

As tropical storm Debby continues to work its way across the southeast, South Carolina is bracing for the extreme weather to arrive later this week.

By Saturday morning, the state could receive between 10 and 20 inches of rain along its coastal planes, with predicted storm surge of up to four feet and a 70 percent chance of flash flooding along the coast, according to the South Carolina Daily Gazette.

Over 500 people have been rescued in this Florida city

Monday 5 August 2024 21:00 , Josh Marcus

Sarasota, Florida, is among the cities on the state’s Gulf Coast hit hard by tropical storm Debby.

According to local first responders, about 500 people have been rescued from flooded homes so far.

What Debby’s landfall looked like from space

Monday 5 August 2024 21:25 , Josh Marcus

Hillsborough County officials show recovery of semi truck

Monday 5 August 2024 21:50 , Josh Marcus

Coast Guard rescues two boaters stranded during Tropical Storm Debby

Monday 5 August 2024 22:15 , Josh Marcus

Florida police hunt for missing man after sunken boat found

Monday 5 August 2024 22:55 , Josh Marcus

Police in the city of Gulfport, Florida, near Tampa, are searching for Brian J Clough, 48, a local sailor whose boat was found sunken on Monday.

A local boater found the wreck and searched for Clough inside, but the man wasn’t to be found, though his dog was still onboard, according to Gulfport police.

“The Gulfport Police Department has checked with the local boating community but Clough has not yet been located,” the department told WFLA. “When weather conditions improve, additional resource will be used in the search.”

Even as Debby passes, risks remain in Florida

Monday 5 August 2024 23:34 , Josh Marcus

Tropical Storm Debby may be moving out of the north of Florida and towards the southeastern coastal US, but it still leaves plenty of risks behind, according to the National Hurricane Center.

“Deadly hazards remain, including downed power lines and flooded areas,” the NHC wrote in an afternoon update. “Ensure generators are properly ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Exercise caution when using chainswas and power tools, and drink plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion.”

Tropical Storm Debby blows 70lbs of cocaine onto beach in Florida

Tuesday 6 August 2024 00:16 , Josh Marcus

Well this certainly wasn’t in the forecast.

Tropical Storm Debby, in addition to bringing heavy rains and flooding to the Gulf Coast of Florida, also blew 25 packages of cocaine onto a beach in the Florida Keys, according to Samuel Briggs II, of the Border Patrol.

The packages of drugs, marked with a red, X-like symbol, have a street value of over $1m.

Falling tree kills Georgia teen, fifth death from storm

Tuesday 6 August 2024 00:45 , Josh Marcus

Tropical Storm Debby has now reportedly killed five people since making landfall earlier today.

A 19-year-old in Moutlrie, Georgia, died on Monday when a tree fell on the side of his house, according to Colquitt County officials, CNN reports.

Four others have died in the storm in car crashes and another falling tree incident.

North Carolina declares state of emergency

01:15 , Josh Marcus

North Carolina has declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Debby continues making its way north.

“As the storm approaches our state, please take precautions and stay safe,” North Carolina governor Roy Cooper wrote on X.

Read the full declaration here.

Update: NHC warns of ‘torrential rains’ as Debby moves north

01:45 , Josh Marcus

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to bring torrential rains as it continues to move north into Georgia overnight, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm, now about 50 miles outside of Valdosta, Georgia, will bring winds of 45mph, storm surge, and 6 to 12 inches of rainfall across Florida and North Carolina through Wednesday morning.

Southeast Georgia and the Carolinas, meanwhile, can expect 10 to 20 inches of rainfall.

“This potentially historic rainfall will likely result in areas of catastrophic flooding,” the NHC warned.

Watch: Charleston mayor announces curfew as Tropical Storm Debby rages

02:45 , Josh Marcus

Charleston, South Carolina, mayor William Cogswell announced a curfew would go into effect for the city overnight, as Tropical Storm Debby is set to bring 10 to 12 inches of rain in the coming house.

Watch more of his remarks via WTAT.

‘We don’t have any monetary damages, just emotional damage'

03:45 , Josh Marcus

Major storms damage more than just buildings.

They also leave an emotional impact, according to Cheri and Rusty Jakes of Steinhatchee, Florida, where Debby first made landfall.

Their property was under a foot of water during the storm surge.

“We don’t have any monetary damages, just emotional damage,” said Ms Jakes told The New York Times. “All of my children’s baby books got flooded...That’s the most devastating thing. I don’t care about anything else right now.”

Video: Tornado passes through South Carolina

04:41 , Stuti Mishra

Footage shared on X shows a tornado passing through Edisto Island, South Carolina, leaving homes with significant damage.

Biden approves South Carolina emergency declaration

05:45 , Stuti Mishra

The White House on Monday approved a request from South Carolina to declare an emergency ahead of the imminent arrival of Tropical Storm Debby.Joe Biden previously approved a similar declaration from Florida because of the storm. The White House said in a statement that it is monitoring Debby as it makes its way across Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.“Personnel from the DOD, HHS, US Army Corps of Engineers, and US Coast Guard have deployed and are prepared to support,” it said.“The president continues to urge residents to remain vigilant and heed the warnings of State and local officials.”

Six dead in storm related incidents

05:49 , Stuti Mishra

Trees felled in the storm killed a 12-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy in Levy County, officials and law enforcement said. A 19-year-old man was killed near Valdosta, Georgia, when a tree fell onto a porch, police said.

Others killed in the storm included a truck driver who lost control of an 18-wheeler on Interstate 75 and went into the Tampa Bypass Canal, and a 38-year-old woman and her 12-year-old son whose SUV crashed in Dixie County north of Tampa in stormy weather, according to law enforcement.

Pumps lower lake levels in Charleston as Debby expected to bring heavy rains

06:48 , Josh Marcus

Officials in Charleston, South Carolina, are pumping down water levels in area lakes, ahead of heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby.

You know when the Waffle House is closed, it means bad news

07:59 , Josh Marcus

Waffle House, the legendary US breakfast 24-hour chain, is so famous for staying open through all conditions that people joke there’s a Waffle House index ahead of a natural disaster.

When Waffle House is closed, that means it’s bad news.

As Joe Kovac Jr. of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the Waffle House in Valdosta, Georgia, the soon-to-be center of Tropical Storm Debby, was closed on Monday evening.

Shocking video shows flooded town square in Florida

08:41 , James Liddell

Much of northern Florida is trying to dry out after Tropical Storm Debby made landfall earlier today.

Waters inundated much of downtown Live Oak, Florida, as captured by meteorologist Elisa Raffa.

‘Major flood threat’ as center of storm sits over Southeastern Georgia

08:52 , James Liddell

The National Hurricane Center, which is closely tracking Tropical Storm Debby, has said that the center of the storm currently sits over Southeastern Georgia.

On Tuesday morning, it warned of “major flood threats” for the south-east over the coming days as Debby slowly makes its approach to the Atlantic Ocean.

“Deadly hazards remain” in Florida including downed power lines and severe flooding, after the storm ripped through the Sunshine State.

In pictures: Aftermath as Debby churns through Florida and Georgia

09:14 , James Liddell

Tracking Debby: Where is the tropical storm headed today?

09:35 , James Liddell

Debby was strengthened to a Category 1 storm on Monday morning as it churned through the Sunshine State, before later being downgraded back to a tropical storm.

The tropical storm pushed slowly north-northeast through the Sunshine State at 10mph, bringing with it as much as 16 inches of rain in central Florida. It approached the Florida-Georgia border late on Monday evening, but where is it heading next?

Myriam Page and James Liddell have been designated The Independent’s weather-watchers and have been tracking the storm.

Mapped: Tracking Tropical Storm Debby as it makes landfall in Florida

Debby blows ‘$1m’ of cocaine onto Florida Keys beach

09:49 , James Liddell

Urgent warning over ‘significant risk’ of flash floods

10:10 , James Liddell

The National Hurricane Center has put out an urgent warning over the “significant risk” of flash floods across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

The notice came during its 5am EDT Tropical Storm Debby public advisory notice.

It added that the Center of Debby is expected to move offshore the Georgia coast later on Tuesday.

Flash flooding is expected to continue across parts of Southeastern US for the coming days.

Latest pictures: Tropical Storm Debbie batters parts of Florida and Georgia

10:32 , James Liddell

Mid-Atlantic through to New England could succumb to ‘considerable flash flooding’

10:49 , James Liddell

Parts of the Mid-Atlantic could succumb to flash floods by Sunday morning, the National Hurricane Center has said in a a 5am ET key message briefing on Tuesday.

“Heavy rainfall will likely result in flooding impacts from northern North Carolina through portions of Mid-Atlantic States and southern New England through Sunday morning,” it read.

Parts of North Carolina can expect up to 12 inches of rainfall which may result in “considerable flash and urban flooding” along with possible river flooding.

‘Extreme rainfall’ could see surge in evacuation and rescue efforts in Georgia

11:10 , James Liddell

“Extreme rainfall” could prompt a surge of evacuation and rescue efforts in parts of Georgia, that National Hurricane Center said on Tuesday morning.

The 5.24am notice added that some structures could become uninhabitable and, in worst the instances, could be totally washed away. Brutal winds could cause damage to properties and blow away light objects which aren’t tethered down.

Driving conditions “remain dangerous” in the state, the noticed added. It warned that bridges may have become weakened or could be washed out.

Watch: Police helicopter shows Hillsborough underwater after devastating floods

11:32 , James Liddell

‘Life-threatening’ storm surge expected across Georgia and South Carolina coasts

11:50 , James Liddell

Pictured: Thousands of linemen assembled to repair storm-battered Florida

12:10 , James Liddell

Prior to the arrival of Tropical Storm Debby, Florida coordinated with over 17,000 power line repair technicians to be in place once the extreme weather made landfall.

Bryan Griffin, of the governor’s office, shared a photo of the effort.

Tracking Tropical Storm Debby: Rainfall, wind, flooding and storm surge

12:30 , James Liddell

Tornado warning issued to 2m North Carolina and South Carolina residents

12:50 , James Liddell

A new National Weather Service tornado watch warning has been issued for parts of North Carolina and South Carolina on Tuesday morning.

Almost 2 million residents are susceptible to potential tornado exposure including 402 schools and 39 hospitals in an area which stretches from Charleston, SC, to Burgaw, NC, the announcement said.

Half-inch hail stones could also pelt the two states along with gusts of up to 70mph.

The alert is valid until 5pm ET on Tuesday.

Cars flipped and Walmart shopping carts ‘flying in air’ after suspected South Carolina tornado

13:10 , James Liddell

A possible tornado allegedly caused cars to flip over and Walmart shopping carts to “fly in the air” in South Carolina.

Moncks Corner Mayor Thomas Hamilton Jr claimed that a tornado struck near Highway 52 in the Berkeley County town early on Tuesday morning.

“We had minor injuries from the glass at Walmart,” he told local news station Live 5 News.

He added that “shopping carts were flying in the air” around one local resident who he said sustained minor injuries.

Hamilton also said that an RV was seen flipped as local fire services and police responded to the scene who are working on so-called hurricane shifts.

Pictures taken by the mayor and obtained by WCBD-TV show two damaged white pick-up trucks – one flipped completely upside down on top of the other.

Debby to drift in ‘slow motion’ offshore of Georgia coast later today

13:30 , James Liddell

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to drift offshore Georgia’s coastline later on Tuesday, the National Hurricane said in an 8am ET update.

It is continuing to move northeast in “slow motion” at 6mph, it added. Debby is predicted to drift back inland over South Carolina on Thursday.

Watch: Savannah schools close in wake of devastating Tropical Storm Debby

13:50 , James Liddell

Savannah mayor ‘terrified’ of ‘unprecedented’ tropical storm

14:10 , James Liddell

Savannah’s mayor Van Johnson said that he was “terrified” ahead of Georgia’s coastal city bracing for Tropical Storm Debby’s torrential conditions on Monday evening.

“We plan for a once-in-a-century storm, we don’t plan for a once-in-a-millennium type storm, and that’s where we are right now,” Johnson told CNN.

The storm approached the Florida-Georgia border late on Monday evening, and is expected to continue drifting towards coastal Georgia and South Carolina throughout the week before making its way to the Atlantic Ocean.

At least five dead from Tropical Storm Debby

14:45 , Katie Hawkinson

At least five people have been killed by Tropical Storm Debby as it blows through the southeast.

A 64-year-old truck driver died when his vehicle flipped over in Florida amid heavy rain. The driver lost control on Florida’s I-75, local outlet Fox 13 reports.

In Dixie County, Florida, a 38-year-old woman and 12-year-old boy also died when their car crashed into a guardrail on Sunday night, just ahead of Debby making landfall, local outlet WCTV reports.

A 13-year-old boy also died in Fanning Springs, Florida after a tree crashed into his mobile home on Monday morning. That same day, a 19-year-old in Moultrie, Georgia, died on when a tree fell onto his home.

Mapped: Tracking Tropical Storm Debby as it charts path through southeast US

15:19 , Myriam Page, James Liddell

Tropical Storm Debby has left at least five people dead after it made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane along Florida’s Big Bend coast on Monday morning, before charting a path through parts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

The storm continues to drift through southern Georgia and eastern South Carolina as of Tuesday after crossing the Florida-Georgia border on Monday evening.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has urged both states to prepare for “catastrophic flooding,” in an update on Tuesday morning. Deadly hazards remain in Florida including downed power lines and severe flooding, the NHC added.

Read more:

Mapped: Tracking Tropical Storm Debby as it charts path through southeast US

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to send flooding to the Southeast. Here’s how much rain could fall

15:37 , Associated Press

Northern Florida, the coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina and parts of North Carolina are bracing for severe rain and catastrophic flooding this week as the Debby storm system moves up and east.

Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on the Big Bend coast of Florida early Monday, first hitting the small community of Steinhatchee. It damaged homes and businesses, sent floodwaters rising, caused sweeping power outages across the state and Georgia and led to several fatalities. Debby was downgraded to a tropical storm midday Monday.

But experts say the worst is yet to come as the storm system is expected to stall over the Southeast region.

Read more:

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to send flooding to the Southeast. Here's how much rain could fall

Watch live: Florida officials speak to residents after Debby devastated the state

15:44 , Katie Hawkinson

Tropical Storm Debby washes $1m haul of cocaine onto beach in Florida Keys

15:50 , James Liddell

Tropical Storm Debby has washed up a haul of cocaine worth an estimated $1m onto a beach in the Florida Keys.

A spokesperson from the Customs and Border Protection confirmed to The Independent that 25 packages of the narcotic were discovered in Islamorada, Monroe County, by a good samaritan.

The drugs were allegedly blown onto the beach as Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, causing at least five deaths and widespread damage across the region before charting a path across the southeastern states.

Read more:

Tropical Storm Debby washes $1m haul of cocaine onto beach in Florida Keys

Kamala Harris delays North Carolina rally with new running mate Tim Walz due to Debby

16:03 , Katie Hawkinson

Kamala Harris has postponed a Raleigh, North Carolina campaign rally with her newly-announced running mate, Tim Walz, local outlet ABC 11 reports.

The delay comes as Tropical Storm Debby threatens the state with significant flash flooding and potentially historic rain levels, per the National Weather Service.

Donald Trump’s campaign has since announced vice presidential candidate JD Vance will make an appearance in the state capital on Thursday, the same day Harris and Walz were scheduled to speak.

In pictures: Savannah, Georgia endures Tropical Storm Debby

16:20 , Katie Hawkinson

Tropical Storm Debby crossed the Florida-Georgia border late Monday, bringing heavy rain and flooding to the Peach State.

Savannah, Georgia Mayor Van Johnson said that he was “terrified” of Tropical Storm Debby’s impacts on the state.

More than 17,000 customers are without power in Georgia and at least one person has been killed in the state, bringing Debby’s death toll to at least five.

‘Deadly’ hazards remain in Florida after Debby

16:28 , Katie Hawkinson

While Tropical Storm Debby has left Florida, “deadly” hazards remain a threat to Sunshine State residents, the National Weather Service said.

These threats include downed power lines, continued flooding and the possibility of heat stroke amid widespread power outages. Officials are also warning residents to properly ventilate rooms with generators to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

Debby has left more than 100,000 customers without power in Florida as of Tuesday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.

At least four people have died in Florida due to Debby. A 64-year-old truck driver died when his vehicle flipped over on Florida’s I-75, local outlet Fox 13 reports. In Dixie County, a 38-year-old woman and 12-year-old boy were killed when their car crashed into a guardrail on Sunday night, local outlet WCTV reports.

A 13-year-old boy also died in Fanning Springs, Florida after a tree crashed into his mobile home on Monday morning.

Florida officials have also activated their Small Business Emergency Loan Bridge Program, which provides funds to ensure organizations can make repairs and keep employees on payroll as they reckon with Debby, Governor Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday morning.

Tropical Storm Debby to remain over South Carolina for two days

16:45 , Katie Hawkinson

Tropical Storm Debby will hover off the coast of South Carolina through Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

The slow-moving storm will likely bring “historic heavy rainfall” and “catastrophic” flooding to the Carolinas, according to the NWS.

Debby is forecasted to move up the East Coast this week. The storm could hit as far north as Maine by Sunday.

Scams run rampant as Florida contends with Debby

17:01 , Katie Hawkinson

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned about storm clean-up organizations that may be scamming local residents.

“You cannot remove the debris yourself, you cannot get that tree,” DeSantis said on Tuesday morning. “Please call our crisis cleanup hotline. We will match you up with a volunteer agency who will come and do that for free.”

“Volunteer organizations are free,” DeSantis continued. “They will never ask you for money. If somebody is asking you for money, there's probably a better than 90% chance that is a scam. You need to report them to the Attorney General.”

The state’s chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, warned about a specific type of insurance scam called “direction of payments.” In this scheme, scammers will convince victims to redirect claims from storm damage from their insurance company to them.

“Whatever you do, do not sign anything, I repeat myself, do not sign anything, you could be giving your claim away to a total stranger,” Patronis said, according to local outlet News4Jax.

Tropical Storm Debby could prove just as dangerous as a major hurricane

17:20 , Associated Press

Tropical Storm Debby came ashore in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane Monday and quickly downgraded, but the storm still poses serious threats as it slogs on toward Georgia and South Carolina.

Tropical storms can be deadlier than some of the strongest hurricanes. In Debby’s case, the storm was expected to slow to a crawl and dump up to 30 inches (76 centimetres) of rain over several days along coastal Georgia and South Carolina. Winds won’t be the biggest danger, making the storm’s category far less important than the potential for catastrophic flooding.

The Saffir-Simpson Scale measures only the strength of a hurricane’s winds from Category 1 to Category 5, the strongest. The circumference of a storm, how fast it’s moving, the amount of rain it delivers, storm surge and high tides are all other factors that matter.

Read more:

Tropical Storm Debby could prove just as dangerous as a major hurricane

Thousands of flights disrupted after Storm Debby batters Florida

17:39 , Amelia Neath

Storm Debby made landfall in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane, packing winds of 80mph.

Debby, which has now been downgraded to a tropical storm, has left devastation in its wake after thrashing parts of Florida on Monday, leaving at least five dead, thousands without power and risks of flooding.

While flight cancellations have reduced as of Tuesday, the storm, which is now sustaining winds of up to 45mph, is moving toward Georgia and South Carolina, where flight disruptions in those states have been slowly climbing as they prepare for the storm to hit.

Read more from The Independent:

Thousands of flights disrupted after Storm Debby batters Florida

South Carolina sees more than a foot of rain

17:55 , Katie Hawkinson

Green Pond, South Carolina recorded more than 14 inches of rainfall on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Debby hovers off the coast of South Carolina.

The slow-moving storm will likely bring “historic heavy rainfall” and “catastrophic” flooding as it blows through the southeast US, according to the NWS.

Meanwhile, Rincon, Georgia recorded the highest rainfall in the state with just over 11 inches on Tuesday.

Tornadoes threaten South Carolina

18:05 , Katie Hawkinson

Tornadoes hit South Carolina last night as Tropical Storm Debby brings high winds to the state.

A tornado wiped out power lines and damaged homes on Edisto Beach, while another likely tornado caused damage on Isle of Palms, the South Carolina Daily Gazette reports.

While the tornadoes have caused significant property damage, no injuries or deaths have been reported in South Carolina as of Tuesday.

More than 11,000 people in South Carolina are without power as of Tuesday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us. The tornado threat will continue through Wednesday.

18:30 , James Liddell

Tropical Storm Debby washes $1m haul of cocaine onto beach in Florida Keys

Tropical Storm Debby has washed up a haul of cocaine worth an estimated $1m onto a beach in the Florida Keys.

A spokesperson from the Customs and Border Protection confirmed to The Independent that 25 packages of the narcotic were discovered in Islamorada, Monroe County, by a good samaritan.

The drugs were allegedly blown onto the beach as Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, causing at least five deaths and widespread damage across the region before charting a path across the southeastern states.

Read more:

Tropical Storm Debby washes $1m haul of cocaine onto beach in Florida Keys

Watch: Experts say public should leave sea turtles alone after Tropical Storm Debby stranded them on beaches

19:00 , Katie Hawkinson

See it: Tropical Storm Debby swirls through southeast US

19:30 , Katie Hawkinson

Mapped: Historic rainfall, flash flooding from Tropical Storm Debby

20:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Video: Tropical Storm Debby inundates South Carolina

20:16 , Katie Hawkinson

South Carolina dam could fail amid storm

20:40 , Katie Hawkinson

The McGrady Dam in Colleton County, South Carolina has the potential to fail as Tropical Storm Debby brings heavy rain to the region.

Officials with the Colleton County Fire and Rescue have warned nearby residents to evacuate.

The agency clarified on X that a collapse is not imminent.

“The dam is currently holding, again the message was ‘potential to fail’ not ‘expected to fail,’” officials wrote on X. “There is substantial flooding in the area of the dam and creek resulting in Edward Road and Cavanaugh Road being closed by SCDOT.”

ICYMI: Kamala Harris delays North Carolina rally with new running mate Tim Walz due to Debby

21:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Kamala Harris has postponed a Raleigh, North Carolina campaign rally with her newly-announced running mate, Tim Walz, local outlet ABC 11 reports.

The delay comes as Tropical Storm Debby threatens the state with significant flash flooding and potentially historic rain levels, per the National Weather Service.

Donald Trump’s campaign has since announced vice presidential candidate JD Vance will make an appearance in the state capital on Thursday, the same day Harris and Walz were scheduled to speak.

Widespread power outages impact 100,000

21:20 , Katie Hawkinson

More than 100,000 people across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina are experiencing power outages on Tuesday afternoon from Tropical Storm Debby, according to PowerOutage.us.

Amid these outages, officials are warning residents to drink water and watch carefully for signs of heat stroke. Temperatures are nearing triple digits in much of Florida, with heat indexes reaching nearly 110F (43C).

Customers with generators should also ensure the room is properly ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, the National Weather Service said.

Tropical Storm Debby washes baby sea turtles onto beach

21:40 , Katie Hawkinson

Tropical Storm Debby has forced baby sea turtles onto Florida beaches amid rough seas, heavy rain and storm surge, local outlet Fox 35 Orlando reports.

While they may appear to be in danger, officials told the outlet that anyone who spots a washed up baby sea turtle should leave it alone.

“If you find a sea turtle on the beach, do not put it back in the water. Whatever situation, put it back on land is still a contributing factor, so always call officials to help it,” Volusia County Ranger Rob Howell said.

“They’re like little batteries slowly running out. If they get washed in, they need to recharge that battery as best they can before trying again,” he continued.

Tropical Storm Debby likely to strengthen off South Carolina coast

22:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Tropical Storm Debby, which is currently hovering on the South Carolina coast, will likely strengthen on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said moments ago.

The storm is bringing heavy rain, flooding and tornadoes to South Carolina.

At least five people have been killed by the storm, and more than 100,000 people across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina are without power as of Tuesday evening.

In pictures: Tropical Storm Debby hits South Carolina

22:36 , Katie Hawkinson