Tropical Storm Debby Devastates Southeast with Torrential Rains and Flooding

Tropical Storm Debby has caused severe flooding in the U.S. Southeast after making landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane. Governors in affected states have declared emergencies, with major rainfall and flooding impacting homes and infrastructure. The storm is expected to continue affecting the Southeastern and mid-Atlantic coasts.

Tropical Storm Debby pounded the U.S. Southeast with relentless rain as it moved away from the Carolinas on Wednesday, posing a significant flooding threat before accelerating in the coming days toward the north. The storm has claimed at least six lives in Florida and Georgia since making landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast on Monday as a Category 1 hurricane.

Governors of the Carolinas, Florida, and Georgia issued states of emergency. The storm has left numerous areas submerged, prompting warnings for additional preparations. "All North Carolinians across our state need to be prepared for a deluge," said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper during a briefing at the Department of Emergency Management.

Charleston, South Carolina, lifted a citywide curfew as the worst of the storm passed overnight. Nevertheless, significant rainfall is expected to continue, with potential totals reaching up to 25 inches in South Carolina. Debby's slow movement, with sustained winds of 60 mph, is forecasted to bring heavy rainfall and possibly more flooding to the Southeastern and mid-Atlantic regions in the coming days.

(With inputs from agencies.)