Storm Debby could be just as dangerous as a hurricane

• Storm Debby represents a great danger.
• Could be more catastrophic than a hurricane.
• Are Georgia and South Carolina at risk?

Tropical Storm Debby made landfall in Florida on Monday as a Category 1 hurricane and quickly weakened.

However, it still poses a serious threat as it moves toward Georgia and South Carolina, according to The Associated Press.

Despite its downgrade on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the danger of Debby lies in its potential to cause catastrophic flooding.

A risk often underestimated compared to hurricane-force winds.

IN DANGER FROM STORM DEBBY?

Although Debby’s winds are not the greatest threat, its ability to dump up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain along the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina makes it a significant threat.

Tropical storms can be more lethal than some of the strongest hurricanes, and Debby is no exception.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED: Authorities warn of more intense storms and announce areas at risk

Intense and prolonged rainfall can lead to devastating flooding, regardless of wind strength.

Additionally, the Saffir-Simpson scale only measures the wind strength of a hurricane, from Category 1 to Category 5.

A hurricane threat for the most vulnerable areas?

Tropical Storm Debby made landfall in one of Florida’s least populated areas, where the main peninsula meets the Panhandle.

However, major cities like Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, need to take the storm very seriously.

Savannah’s historic center is on a bluff above the Savannah River, but surrounding areas like Tybee Island contain low-lying marshes susceptible to flooding.

Charleston and its surroundings are also vulnerable to flooding, especially if the storm pushes water inland, blocking drainage from streams and marshes into the Atlantic.

Don’t focus on storm category

Regarding storm Debby, Craig Fugate, former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), advises not to focus solely on a storm’s category.

“Don’t focus on the category,” says Fugate, emphasizing the importance of considering local impacts, reported AP.

He recommends seeking local weather information rather than relying exclusively on advisories from the National Hurricane Center and national news channels.

The National Weather Service homepage offers localized information on the type of wind and flooding expected in specific areas.

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