Tropical Storm Debby Brings Rain and Potential Flooding to New England

This weekend, the weather forecast for Massachusetts is looking much more promising than it once did. Meteorologists reported that while there will be a few showers, it won’t be anywhere near as severe as originally expected.

According to the latest updates, southern parts of Massachusetts could see between half an inch to an inch of rain. Fortunately, the rain is expected to move through fairly quickly.

Tropical Storm Debby made its latest landfall in the Carolinas, hitting close to Bulls Bay at about 2 a.m. With sustained winds reaching up to 50 mph, the storm is forecasted to unleash 4 to 8 inches of rain today.

The majority of rain is expected to arrive Friday night and linger into Saturday morning, with the tropical storm’s center predicted to reach Vermont by 2 a.m. on Saturday. After Debby passes, pleasant weather is anticipated for Massachusetts, featuring sunny skies and cooler temperatures.

However, there remains a significant risk of flooding in various areas. One meteorologist highlighted concerns about flooding, particularly since regions like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and southern New York have already experienced heavy rainfall. The ground is extremely saturated, and even a relatively small amount of additional rain could trigger flash floods.

Flash flood warnings are currently in effect as Debby continues its northwestward path, producing heavy rain across parts of North and South Carolina and southern Virginia. A tornado watch is also active in eastern North Carolina until 1 p.m. EDT.

As the storm moves inland, its remnants are expected to spread into the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, leading to isolated heavy rain pockets. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, particularly in flood-prone areas, and to avoid driving through floodwaters.

Debby formed from a tropical wave that the National Hurricane Center had been monitoring since July 26. It gradually evolved into a tropical depression before strengthening into a tropical storm on August 3, eventually becoming a hurricane on August 4.

The storm caused considerable rainfall, with some areas in Florida experiencing nearly 20 inches. This prompted flash flooding and river flooding, affecting numerous homes and trapping vehicles. Even the Wilmington, North Carolina area reported significant flooding in certain regions.

As for the storm surge, Debby pushed Gulf waters toward the Florida coast, impacting areas that had previously experienced severe flooding from earlier storms. Wind gusts associated with Debby reached high speeds as well, leaving many customers without power across the affected states.