The primary threat posed by Hurricane Debby is flooding, both from storm surges up to 10 feet and from heavy rainfall. According to research conducted by the NHC, freshwater flooding caused by rainfall has become the deadliest aspect of tropical systems over the last decade. This threat is exacerbated by the warming climate, driven by fossil fuel pollution.
Evacuation Orders: Ensuring Safety
The strengthening storm tracking up Florida’s western coast has prompted county and state officials to issue a series of voluntary and mandatory evacuation orders. The NHC has posted hurricane watches and warnings across several parts of the state, including areas near Tampa and the Big Bend region. Tropical storm and storm surge watches and warnings have also been issued for parts of Florida, coastal Georgia, and sections of South Carolina.
In a 5 p.m. ET update, the hurricane center upgraded a tropical storm watch to a warning for the area west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach, Florida. Additionally, a tropical storm warning has been issued for the eastern coasts of Florida and Georgia, from Ponte Vedra Beach to the Savannah River.
