Debby blamed for four deaths in Florida; storm could bring 'catastrophic' flooding to Atlantic coast

TAMPA, Fla. - After making landfall as a hurricane in the Big Bend Area near Steinhatchee, Florida, Debby moved into Georgia as a tropical storm.

The 11 p.m. report from the National Hurricane Center puts the storm at 31.1 N 82.1 W, moving at 7 mph. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.

At a news conference Monday afternoon, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the storm is being blamed for four deaths in Florida. Two people were killed in a traffic crash in Dixie County, a truck driver was killed in a crash in Hillsborough County and a child was killed when a tree fell on a home in Levy County.

Watches and Warnings

A storm surge warning is in effect for:

• Georgia and South Carolina coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary's River to South Santee River South Carolina

A storm surge watch is in effect for:

• South Carolina and North Carolina coast from north of South Santee River to Cape Fear, North Carolina

A tropical storm warning is in effect for:

• St. Augustine, Florida to the North Carolina state line

A tropical storm watch is in effect for:

• North of South Santee River, South Carolina to Cape Fear, North Carolina

READ: Hurricane Debby causing power outages across Tampa Bay Area

Timeline

FOX 13 Chief Meteorologist Paul Dellegatto says rain bands were more scattered across the Bay Area on Monday afternoon and evening after a few tornado warnings were issued in the morning.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Monday afternoon that the Florida State and National Guards are assessing damage and clearing routes in areas impacted by Debby, adding 17,000 linemen are working to restore power to those who have lost electricity.

FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg noted that around 5 a.m. wind gusts of about 90 miles an hour were reported in the Steinhatchee area, which means that Hurricane Debby was still strengthening before it made landfall.

He said Debby will spend three days over the Carolinas, which could create ‘catastrophic’ flooding for South Carolina, which may get 20 inches of rain.

Wind gusts in the Bay Area, which were about 50 miles an hour early Monday morning, have subsided.

The Bay Area saw scattered showers throughout Monday.

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