Tropical Storm Debby Approaches Florida and South Carolina

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor DeSantis held a press conference at the State Emergency Operations Center, focusing on Tropical Storm Debby as it approaches Florida.

The storm is expected to make landfall early on Monday morning in the Big Bend area. With the increasing threat, Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 61 counties as of August 2.

As of 8 PM EDT, Tropical Storm Debby was located about 90 miles southwest of Cedar Key and moving northward. The storm is predicted to reach the Florida Big Bend coast around midday Monday and is expected to stay over northern Florida and southern Georgia through Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds are already near 70 mph, and the storm is anticipated to strengthen into a hurricane by tonight.

The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is active, allowing residents to call 1-800-342-3557 for resources related to the storm. English and Spanish speakers are available for assistance.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is conducting daily calls with all 67 counties to assess needs and ensure a solid response plan.

Floridians are reminded to prepare for possible flooding based on their local risks. Additional information can be found at FloridaDisaster.org/Guide.

Meanwhile, over in South Carolina, Berkeley County is gearing up for the storm’s effects. They are currently under a Tropical Storm Watch and a Storm Surge Warning, as indicated by local officials.

Earlier in the day, Governor Henry McMaster also declared a state of emergency, anticipating heavy winds and rain for Berkeley County, with historic flooding expected later in the week.

For now, all Berkeley County facilities will remain open on August 5, and residents can report any storm damage they experience to the county officials.

Residents in Berkeley County can access sandbags at designated locations, and the county’s Emergency Operations Center will activate partially at 8 a.m. to manage the situation.