What to expect while Tropical Storm Debby hits Virginia

Nearly all of Virginia and D.C. are under a tornado watch until 7am Friday, according to the National Weather Service .

The big picture: Residents could see half-inch-sized hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph as Tropical Storm Debby moves closer and its potential impact becomes clearer.

• Caroline and Hanover counties are under a tornado warning, which means a tornado has been spotted or could be coming soon, until 7:30pm Thursday.
• The NWS recommends seeking shelter — away from windows, doors and outside walls — if you're within its path.
• A flash flood warning is in place until 9pm for the Richmond area, including Highland Springs, Mechanicsville, Short Pump and Meadowbrook, per the NWS.

Catch up quick: Central and eastern Virginia had a series of tornado warnings Thursday.

• At around 1:53pm Thursday, the NWS briefly issued one for Greensville, Sussex and Dinwiddie counties, all of which are within an hour of Richmond.

Zoom in: For anyone planning a Virginia Beach weekend trip, you might want to reconsider.

• The coast could have 7-to-10-foot waves, and Virginia Beach is forecast to have dangerous rip currents, per an NWS briefing on Wednesday.
• You can check surf conditions here , just in case.

Plus, people on the coast could face 35-45 mph gusts on Thursday and Friday nights.

• The Richmond area could have up to 29 mph winds on Friday.

Threat level: Flash flooding risks have prompted a flood watch , in effect through Friday night, for the Richmond area and Hampton Roads.

• Residents might see rain rates as high as 1-2 inches per hour.
• Parts of western Virginia could have up to 10 inches of rain, with the heaviest rainfall happening from Thursday afternoon into Friday morning.

Flashback: On Tuesday, Youngkin declared a state of emergency ahead of Debby's arrival. This activates the state's price gouging protections .

If you're driving: AAA is warning people not to drive through flooded roads, no matter how shallow the water might seem.

• Drivers can lose control in as little as six inches, and the water can be hiding downed power lines, potholes or a washed-out roadway, per AAA.
• To reduce the chances of hydroplaning, slow down and avoid braking hard or turning quickly.
• If the storm worsens while on the highway, take the nearest exit instead of stopping on the side of the road.

Go deeper: Tropical Storm Debby will bring multiple rainy days and flooding potential to Virginia .

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