Tropical Storm Debby drifts along coast, dumping heavy rain in Georgia, Carolinas

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Though Tropical Storm Debby remains significantly weakened since coming ashore early Sunday morning, the storm system continues to present a major flood threat for parts of the southeastern United States.

On Tuesday afternoon local time, the storm system continued to drift slowly over the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. EDT update , adding that it was moving east-northeast near 3 mph.

Debby's center of Debby is expected to move offshore the coast of Georgia and South Carolina later Tuesday night and continue to drift offshore through early Thursday, and then move inland over South Carolina on Thursday morning.

In Tuesday's statement, forecasters said tropical storm conditions are expected over portions of the Georgia coast during the evening hours. Tropical storm conditions, they said, are expected to continue along the coast of South Carolina through Thursday night.

According to the latest forecast, tropical storm conditions are expected within the tropical storm warning area in North Carolina beginning early Wednesday.

Earlier, forecasters said Debby is expected to produce potentially "historic" rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches, with maximum amounts of 20 inches, threatening "catastrophic flooding" across portions of eastern Georgia, the coastal plain of South Carolina and southeast North Carolina through Wednesday, the forecaster said.

"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 is in effect from Altamaha Sound, Ga., to Surf City, N.C.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for north of Surf City to Beaufort Inlet, N.C.