Preparing for Debby in the Lowcountry

Charleston is already feeling Debby’s impact, and the storm could linger in the Lowcountry for several days, dumping record amounts of rain. We’ve compiled a list of resources to help you stay safe + prepared.

Debby is expected to pass over Florida and Georgia and reemerge over the Atlantic and off the SC coast. Forecasters say heavy rainfall is expected through Saturday morning, potentially causing severe flooding .

Local meteorologists are tracking the storm’s every move + Jim Cantore and The Weather Channel are also in town to track Debby. Follow along for the latest updates. Here’s a look at what’s expected .

• Flooding: 10-20 inches of rainfall are expected across the area, with up to 30 inches possible in some areas.
• Tornadoes: The storm could bring severe thunderstorms, which increases our chance for tornadoes to form.
• Power outages: Strong gusts of winds and wet grounds are expected so there is a chance for downed trees and power outages.

Photo by Maddy Lucas

Several parking garages will be open for free until this Friday, Aug. 9 at 8 a.m. to accommodate those affected by the storm. Folks are encouraged to move their vehicles to higher grounds to avoid flood damage. To take advantage of free parking, press the call button when exiting and let the operator know you used the free storm parking.

• St. Phillips Street garage (34 St. Phillips St.)
• Aquarium parking garage (24 Calhoun St.)
• Visitor Center parking garage (63 Mary St.)
• Charleston Tech Center parking garage (997 Morrison Dr.)
• The Queen Street Parking Garage (93 Queen St.)
• The WestEdge and East Bay/Prioleau parking garages are already at capacity.

Refresh yourself on the difference between watches and warnings, along with your weather, city, and county resources with our hurricane guide .