Greenwood County Prepares for Tropical Storm Debby

Greenwood County Prepares for Tropical Storm Debby

Greenwood County, August 8, 2024 – As Tropical Storm Debby makes its way northeast after making landfall in northwest Florida on Monday morning, residents and officials in Greenwood County and the surrounding areas are closely monitoring its path.

Robert Cribbin, Emergency Management Coordinator for Greenwood County, has been keeping a close eye on updates from the National Weather Service (NWS). “We’re preparing, and I’ve been in touch with all the health agencies and schools,” he mentioned, emphasizing the importance of preparedness ahead of the storm’s potential impacts.

The National Weather Service has been urging the public to stay informed about Debby’s movements. “The track this storm takes as it moves over the Carolinas will determine what impacts it may have on our area,” stated an alert from the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg office. The public is encouraged to follow updates on hurricanes.gov.

Local utility companies are also on high alert. Ryan Mosier, principal communications manager for Duke Energy, indicated that many service areas in South and North Carolina could be affected by the expected rainfall. “Our team of meteorologists are sharing real-time forecasts that will guide our preparations and logistics,” Mosier said. “We will know more about what that looks like for the Upstate and Lakelands in the next 24 hours.”

According to an alert from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, Debby’s development is expected to be slow as it progresses over the eastern Caribbean Sea. The storm initially made landfall with winds at 80 mph, classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane. However, by 11 a.m., it was downgraded to a tropical storm.

The storm has already had serious repercussions. By Monday morning, rain on Florida’s Gulf Coast had already reached over 10 inches in some areas, leaving more than 300,000 energy customers without power. Florida’s Governor declared a state of emergency in numerous counties, with at least four deaths confirmed as resulting from the storm.

Following Florida’s lead, South Carolina Governor issued an executive order aimed at preparing the state for the heavy rain expected over the coming days. “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,” the Governor stated.

Although evacuation orders were issued in many counties in Florida, Cribbin expressed that there has been no mention of evacuations in South Carolina based on his discussions with state officials. Instead, the focus remains on preparedness and ongoing monitoring of the storm’s path.

Weather Forecast

For Greenwood County, rain is likely with a 70% chance of precipitation. The high hovers around 80°F with NNW winds at 10 to 20 mph. Rainfall is estimated to be near a quarter of an inch. The evening will see showers, turning partly cloudy overnight with temperatures dropping to around 70°F. The winds are expected to calm down to WSW at 5 to 10 mph with a 60% chance of rain overnight.

Residents are advised to keep track of local weather updates, follow safety guidelines, and act promptly if necessary as Tropical Storm Debby continues on its course.

Preparation Recommendations

• Have an emergency kit ready, including important documents, medications, and essential supplies.
• Secure outdoor items that could become projectiles in high winds.
• Plan for possible power outages by having flashlights, batteries, and a supply of bottled water.
• Monitor local weather advisories and stay informed through official channels.
• Ensure you have an evacuation plan, even if evacuations have not been ordered yet.

For continuous updates, residents are encouraged to stay tuned to local advisories and follow recommendations from authoritative sources.