Local officials issued a tropical storm watch for Beaufort County on Sunday, warning of the possibility of heavy rainfall.
According to National Weather Service maps, Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Beaufort are predicted to receive approximately 20 inches of rain from the tropical cyclone through Thursday. Tropical storm and flooding watches were issued for Beaufort County on Sunday. A tropical storm watch indicates that rising water will move inland from the shore in the area during the next 48 hours, potentially causing life-threatening flooding, according to the agency.
At 5 p.m., the NWS issued a storm surge warning, which is activated 36 hours before severe flooding conditions are expected. Gov. Henry McMaster proclaimed a state of emergency on Sunday afternoon in anticipation of Tropical Storm Debby’s probable impact.
“With a potentially significant rainfall event forecast for the next few days, residents in potentially affected areas must start making preparations and plans today—in case it is necessary to take quick action,” McMaster told reporters in a release.
On Sunday morning, the National Weather Service’s Charleston Office predicted “historic” rainfall quantities in the Lowcountry, which would begin in the evening and extend until Thursday. According to the NWS, rainfall totals could range from 10 to 20 inches, with isolated amounts potentially reaching 30 inches. The service predicts widespread severe flash floods across much of the area.
“For an event of this duration, these amounts have a 0.2% to 0.1% chance of happening in any given year,” the NWS stated in an 11:30 a.m. report.
Frank Strait, South Carolina’s severe weather liaison, stated that rainfall totals for the coming week were “downright scary” based on Saturday computer forecasts.
“Let’s hope and pray that the models are overdone!” Strait stated.
Local meteorologists also forecasted moderate wind and storm surge impacts. Storm surge inundation of 2 to 4 feet is conceivable in ordinarily dry tidal/near-tidal locations. Coastal flooding from storm surge and above-average astronomical tides are expected to strike some or all of South Carolina’s coast Tuesday through Thursday, according to Strait.
If severe winds do come to Beaufort County, they will arrive on Monday morning and could reach 57 mph. Tornadoes are also forecast in locations near the state’s coast, according to the service, as are perilous maritime conditions.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Debby was 120 miles west of Tampa, Florida, at 5 p.m. Sunday, with sustained winds of 65 mph. The storm was going 12 mph.
The agency predicts that Debby will continue to intensify and become a hurricane by Sunday evening before reaching Florida’s Big Bend coast. The National Hurricane Center predicts that when the storm advances inland, it will weaken on Monday and Tuesday.
Reference: Update: Ahead of TS Debby, Beaufort Co. under storm surge warning, tropical storm watch