UPDATED, 2 p.m. | Tropical Storm Debby, wandering Wednesday morning about 50 miles off of Savannah, is expected to make landfall on the South Carolina coast sometime late today or early Thursday near Bulls Bay as more rain will fall on already saturated ground.
Meanwhile, Charleston officials lifted a curfew at 7:30 a.m. today. According to a press release: “After assessing overnight conditions, officials have determined that it is safe to return to normal activities. Charleston City operations will be returning to normal on Friday.”
Just before 2 p.m., WCBD-Channel 5 meteorologist Bill Walsh wrote in an email that Charleston’s threats from storm surge and tornadoes were gone. “With that said we still have rain to contend with today,” he added. “We are looking at around 1 to 4 inches possible between now and until the storm exits later tomorrow afternoon. We could still see some flooding throughout the area because of the already 10+ inches that have fallen. “
According to an earlier forecast by the National Weather Service, “Debby will continue to bring a threat for heavy rainfall which will exacerbate ongoing flooding issues. A flood watch remains in effect for all of southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina through Friday morning.”
- Click here to see the latest projections by the National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters say the area has received 8 to 14 inches of rain since the storm started. Another 4 to 8 inches could fall today. “Impacts will be widespread, potentially causing flooding to homes and structures, damage to roadways, and unprecedented flooding along and near smaller creeks and streams.”
Curfew reevaluated
So Tropical Storm Debby is not over but should be, for the most part, by Thursday. City of Charleston officials kept a curfew in place until 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. No other S.C. communities had curfews.
On Wednesday morning, Charleston officials said crews would be assessing damaging and cleaning up debris in coming days.
“Despite the curfew being lifted, saturated soil combined with increasing winds may still lead to downed trees and power lines,” a statement said.
Cogswell on Tuesday stuck by a decision to have the curfew.
“Look, I don’t want to have this in place any longer than we have to,” the mayor said Tuesday night. “I promise you that the purpose of this curfew is not to be annoying, it’s not to hurt businesses. It is to keep people off the roads and prioritize the safety of our residents and of our first responders while we still have a tropical storm sitting right off of our coast.”
Cogswell said he didn’t take the decision on the curfew lightly, but was ready for the storm threat to be over.
“I know that this has not been easy, but when this is all over, I strongly encourage all residents to go out and support your local restaurant, your local boutique, and yes– your local bar. And I hope to have a toast to the long goodbye of Debby,” he said.
Less havoc Tuesday than predicted
Tropical Storm Debby created far less havoc on Tuesday than predicted as Charleston residents hunkered down waiting for an extended deluge that didn’t come.
But that didn’t mean the storm didn’t have a big impact, flooding regular trouble spots like near the intersection of Huger and King streets, stranding a few cars and keeping most businesses closed. Around noon Tuesday, most downtown streets and parks were empty, save for a few dog walkers, random tourists and kids playing in muddy water.
- Click here to see photos from Tuesday from downtown, West Ashley and North Charleston.
The National Weather Service said as much as 10 inches of rain fell across the area in the 48 hours from 5 a.m. Monday. Some data:
- Charleston, 10.6 inches
- North Charleston, 10 inches
- Charleston International Airport, 9.3 inches
- Mount Pleasant, 9.1 inches
- Summerville, 9 inches
- West Ashley (Maryville), 8.5 inches
- Moncks Corner, 8 inches
- Sullivan’s Island, 7 inches
- Daniel Island, 7.3 inches
- Kiawah Island, 6.6 inches
- Goose Creek, 6.1 inches
- Seabrook Island, 4.8 inches
More resources
- Road conditions and closures
- Online resources: The S.C. Emergency Management Division’s hurricane.sc.
- Info line: A Community Information Line will be staffed 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to provide updates and answer storm questions. In English: 843.746.3900. In Spanish: 843.746.3909.
- Hurricane guide
In other storm-related headlines
- CP PHOTO ESSAY: Debby does Charleston
- Debby expected to douse Carolinas again before moving north
- Tropical Storm Debby drenches the Southeast
- Debby slowly moving offshore of S.C. coast
- Charleston leaders to reassess curfew Wednesday morning
- More than 11K without power across the Lowcountry
- No injuries or fatalities reported in S.C.
- Floods are a constant fear in Charleston
- Flight cancellations grow at Charleston, Myrtle Beach airports
- Poop water on the rise as Debby causes leak at Charleston sewage treatment
- National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes in Moncks Corner, Edisto Island
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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