Tropical Storm Debby predicted to pass over Wilmington. Here's the forecast

New Castle County is under a flood watch and heat advisory Tuesday, but the biggest rains should come later in the week as the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby hit Wilmington.

As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, the tropical storm was sitting along the Georgia-South Carolina border and predicted to move into the Atlantic Ocean before landing and traveling through South Carolina.

Is Tropical Storm Debby hitting Delaware?

According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm will pass over Wilmington on Saturday. It will hit New Castle County as a tropical depression.

The storm is predicted to pass over New Castle County on Saturday dropping 4-6 inches of rain through Sunday. Kent and Sussex counties are expected to receive 2-4 inches of rain. It's too early to predict if the storm will produce severe weather, but flooding will be a problem after rain on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Delaware beach forecast: Will Tropical Storm Debby impact Delaware beaches? Here's the forecast

"Our main concern is the heavy rainfall," said Lee Robertson, observing program leader at the National Weather Service's Mount Holly, New Jersey, office. "Anytime you get rain that saturates the ground it makes the potential for flooding even greater."

The saturated ground and winds could cause issues with trees. According to growingearth.com , when the ground becomes saturated from heavy rainfall, it can cause roots to release their grip and uproot, especially when high winds come into play.

Live updates: Tropical Storm Debby unleashes widespread flooding across Southeast

What is a tropical depression?

The storm is predicted to pass over New Castle County as a tropical depression, which is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds of 38 mph or less, according to the National Weather Service.

Delaware weather forecast

Tuesday's National Weather Service forecast is calling for heat indexes ranging from 99 degrees in Dover to 93 degrees in Bethany Beach. New Castle County is under a heat advisory until 10 p.m. Tuesday. The high temperatures will impact vulnerable populations. Older adults, children and people who are sick should work to remain cool and hydrated Tuesday.

A cool front will move into the region Tuesday afternoon and evening. The front will mix with the tropical moisture associated with Tropical Storm Debbie, which will result in heavy tropical downpours in the late afternoon and evening. New Castle County is under a flood watch from Tuesday evening until Wednesday morning.

How to stay safe in a flood

As heavy rains come into the area, people need to be aware of their surroundings. Here are a few suggestions from ready.gov, a website run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security:

• Evacuate immediately, if told to evacuate. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
• Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.
• Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn around. Don’t drown!
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Tropical Storm Debby predicted to pass over Wilmington. Here's the forecast