South Carolina preps for floods ahead of Hurricane Debby;
Gov. Henry McMaster declares state of emergency
COLUMBIA — South Carolina is bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Debby, which federal agencies say could bring “historic rainfall” along the coast and catastrophic flooding.
Debby made landfall as a Category 1 storm about 7 a.m. Monday morning in Florida with sustain winds near 80 mph. The National Hurricane Center expects tropical-storm-force winds to start hitting South Carolina’s southern tip late Monday or early Tuesday.
By Saturday morning, the storm could drop 10-20 inches of rain across the coastal plain of South Carolina along with areas of Georgia and North Carolina. Some areas could get as much as 30 inches of rain, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The risk of flash flooding is high, at least 70%, along the entire coast of the state. The risk is moderate through the Midlands and slight to marginal in the Upstate.
The Hurricane Center also expects storm surge of up to 4 feet along the Georgia and South Carolina coast, up to the mouth of the South Santee River near McClellanville.
Gov. Henry McMaster issued a state of emergency for Hurricane Debby on Sunday, when it was still a tropical storm, urging residents to follow local news and updates from the National Hurricane Center.
“With a potentially significant rainfall event forecast for the next few days, it is critical that residents in potentially affected areas start making preparations and plans today—in case it is necessary to take quick action,” he said in a statement.
Preparations are ongoing across the state.
The city of Charleston announced on social media that as of Sunday afternoon, the city had distributed over 20,000 sandbags and opened parking garages for free to let residents move cars to higher ground.
The state Department of Environmental Services encouraged dam owners to check spillways and potentially lower water levels ahead of the storm. Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that the state price gouging law, which forbids “gross” increases in price during an emergency, is in effect.
McMaster had already issued an executive order on Saturday to activate about 70 South Carolina National Guard service members to assist Florida ahead of the storm.
Residents can find more information about the hurricane at the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website, www.scemd.org
This is an evolving story and will be updated with more information when available.
Abraham Kenmore is a reporter covering elections, health care and more. He joins the SC Daily Gazette from The Augusta Chronicle, where he reported on Georgia legislators, military and housing issues.
SC Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Gov. McMaster Declares State of Emergency for South Carolina
Order Issued to Prepare for Potential
Effects from Tropical Storm Debby
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster issued Executive Order 2024-16, declaring a State of Emergency in preparation for the potential effects of Tropical Storm Debby, and asks South Carolinians to monitor local forecasts and to begin taking proper precautions. The executive order activates the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan and enables all state agencies to coordinate resources in preparation for Tropical Storm Debby.
South Carolina residents and visitors in potentially vulnerable areas should review their plans and consider actions they would need to take if the storm threatens the state. Everyone should monitor the storm via local news media and follow updates from the National Hurricane Center, especially people in low-lying areas along the South Carolina coast.
SCEMD has several resources available for people to prepare for hurricanes, including hurricane.sc. This site is an interactive tool for anyone needing a quick reference on hurricane preparedness.
Additionally, the SC Emergency Manager is available in the App Store and on Google Play: http://onelink.to/dn92rx.
The official 2024 S.C. Hurricane Guide is available in English or Spanish at scemd.org.
GREENVILLE, SC | SAVANNAH, GA | CHARLESTON, SC | RALEIGH, NC | ASHEVILLE NC | ROANOKE, VA, Aug. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Blood Connection (TBC), your community blood center, is currently experiencing an increased need for blood donors as the coastal Southeast is expected to take a hit from Hurricane Debby.
As Debby makes impact along the coastal areas, TBC expects to see closures and cancellations in several areas of service. It is anticipated that TBC will not be able to collect all of the 1,000 donations needed per day to sustain local hospital needs unless community blood donors step up ahead of the storm and roll up their sleeves now.
“We are in a critical time window to get the donations we need before the hurricane so there is no worry about local supply,” said Delisa English, President and CEO of The Blood Connection. “The need for blood donors never stops. Saving lives is TBC’s responsibility and that doesn’t change when the weather does. Local hospital patients are counting on us.”
TBC is asking community donors to help us stabilize the blood supply both locally and for our neighbors through the Southeast. Blood cannot be created; it must be donated, and it is crucial that hospitals have the lifesaving blood products for patients in need.
Blood donations in Upstate South Carolina, Western North Carolina, Raleigh, and Virginia will be even more vital this week to make sure the local blood supply holds steady throughout the storm and as impacted areas deal with the aftereffects of the storm. TBC provides blood products to more than 120 hospitals in four states (both Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia), some of which are along the East Coast. As those communities prepare for the hurricane, blood donors in other communities farther inland are being asked to support those unable to donate because of the hurricane.
To make an appointment at one of our 16 donation centers, or to find a mobile blood drive near you, visit thebloodconnection.org/donate. Appointments are encouraged but not required.
Hosting blood drives is also essential through this increased time of need. To host a blood drive, please visit thebloodconnection.org/host.
|
|
|
|
