Weakened Tropical Storm Debby inundates southeast U.S. with heavy rain

Aug. 4 (UPI) -- A rain-heavy Debby weakened to a tropical storm across northern Florida on Monday afternoon but still carried a high risk of flooding for the region as it headed toward southern Georgia and the Carolinas.

Forecasters said the storm, which made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on Monday morning, is expected to move across southeastern Georgia on Monday night and Tuesday, and will reach North Carolina by Friday as a likely depression.

The storm was located about 30 miles southeast of Valdosta, Ga., and had 65 mph sustained winds as of 5 p.m., the National Hurricane Center said in an update . It was 65 mph in the 2 p.m. update.

Forecasters said it was moving north at 6 mph.

Debby is expected to produce rainfall totals of anywhere from 6 to 12 inches across broad areas of northern Florida and southern Georgia, with maximum amounts of 18 inches forecast in some areas as the system tracks toward the Carolinas through Wednesday morning.

"This is a life-threatening situation," NHC said. "Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials."

A tropical storm warning was in place for the Florida coast from Yankeetown to Indian Pass and from St. Augustine, Fla., to South Santee River, S.C. A tropical storm watch is in effect for north of South Santee River, S.C., to Cape Fear, N.C.

A storm surge warning is in effect from Georgia and South Carolina coast from the mouth of the St. Mary's River to South Santee River in South Carolina. A storm storm watch is in South Carolina and North Carolina coast from north of South Santee River to Cape Fear, N.C.

"The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline," NHC said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Thursday night in 61 of 67 counties.

After landfall, weakening steering currents should cause the cyclone to slow down while it moves northeastward or eastward over parts of northern Florida and southern Georgia.

Previous storms were Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Chris.