CEDAR KEY, FLORIDA — As Tropical Storm Debby loses some of its intensity, it continues to wreak havoc across Florida, leaving a trail of destruction and mounting casualties in its wake. The tropical storm, which had briefly escalated to a Category One hurricane, has claimed at least four lives and is now threatening neighboring states with severe flooding and record-breaking rainfall.
Among the victims was a 13-year-old boy from Levy County who tragically lost his life when a tree crashed onto his mobile home. Additionally, a semi-truck driver met a fatal end when his vehicle skidded into a bypass canal off Interstate 75 in Hillsborough County. A devastating car accident on Sunday night claimed the lives of a 38-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy from Crawfordville, while a 14-year-old boy involved in the crash sustained serious injuries.
Authorities warn that, despite being downgraded from a hurricane, Tropical Storm Debby remains a formidable threat. Michael Brennan, Director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC), described the situation as a “level four out of four risk for excessive rainfall,” emphasizing the likelihood of “prolonged extreme rainfall events with potential for catastrophic flooding” in coastal portions of Georgia, South Carolina, and extending into North Carolina.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis cautioned residents about the “significant” flooding anticipated over the coming days. Already, storm surges and rising water levels have been reported across the state.
As of the latest reports, approximately 275,000 customers across Florida and Georgia are grappling with power outages, according to tracker poweroutage.us. “We have a lot of restoration personnel ready to go to get it back on,” assured DeSantis.
Life-threatening storm surges spanning the Gulf Coast, with water levels expected to rise up to five feet above ground in some areas, have prompted storm surge warnings. Tropical Storm Debby, which initially made landfall packing winds of 80 mph, has seen its wind speeds drop to 65 mph as of the latest update.
Forecasters predict that Debby will unleash up to 18 inches of rain in certain parts of Florida, with coastal Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina anticipated to receive as much as 30 inches of rainfall in the forthcoming days. The ramifications of the storm have led to mandatory evacuations in parts of Citrus County, Florida, and voluntary evacuation orders in eight other counties. Both Georgia and South Carolina have declared a state of emergency in preparation for Debby’s onslaught.
In a proactive federal response, President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida to expedite federal aid. Governor DeSantis has also activated the state’s National Guard, placing 3,000 service members on standby for storm response efforts.
Amid the chaos, an unexpected discovery was made in the Florida Keys. Tropical Storm Debby washed ashore 25 tightly wrapped packages of cocaine, valued at over $1 million, as reported by US Border Patrol Acting Chief Patrol Agent Samuel Briggs II.
As Tropical Storm Debby continues its path across the southeastern United States, residents and officials remain on high alert, bracing for the extensive rainfall and continued disruptions the storm is expected to bring.
