Tropical Storm Debby moves toward Georgia coast

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A weakened Tropical Storm Debby was expected to make its way to the coast of Georgia before moving back inland over the Carolinas.

The storm was located about 20 miles southwest of Savannah, Ga., and 105 miles southwest of Charleston, S.C., with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 a.m. EDT update .

Forecasters said it was moving northeast at 6 mph.

NHC is forecasting a turn toward the east on Tuesday, followed by a turn to the north at a low forward speed Wednesday. On the forecast track, Debby will move offshore of the South Carolina coast by late Tuesday and Wednesday, and approach the South Carolina coast on Thursday.

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 was in place for Altamaha Sound, Ga., to Little River Inlet, S.C. and a tropical storm watch was in effect for North of the Little River Inlet, S.C., to Surf City, N.C.

A storm surge warning is in effect for Altamaha Sound, Ga., to South Santee River, S.C., while a storm surge watch was in effect for north of South Santee River, S.C., 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.

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