On August 5th Hurricane Debby destroyed over 35,000 homes in Florida, with high wind speeds over 80 mph. Debby caused a total of $89 million in damages and estimated repairs for Florida. But as it continued up the coast, racked up a total record of nearly $10 billion in damage.
As stated by AP News, the storm caused four deaths. Another 200,000 people, according to Forbes, no one had any power in both Florida and Georgia for days, more than 7,500 flights nationwide had to be canceled due to Hurricane Debby having wind speeds over 80 mph and downpours as a category 1 hurricane.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) maintained contact with all 67 counties in Florida to ensure a fast response for emergency vehicles and assistance.
Hurricane Debby first made landfall as a category 1 storm. Approaching fast, it strengthened rapidly bringing tropical conditions over the Gulf of Mexico. On Sunday night before its expected landfall, it brought massive rain to many places, especially “Florida’s Big Bend.” Many hurricane warnings were sent out along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The New York Times reported that many residents were to heed the evacuation orders and be prepared for future power outages during the hurricane. Residents were warned not be outside because of the high wind speeds.
Debby destroyed many homes and private properties. According to AP News, over 500 people in Florida were rescued from floods as some roadways, and areas flooded in a matter of minutes once waterways started to overflow from the storm surge and heavy rains. Governor DeSantis issued a state of emergency for a total of 61 counties in Florida.
After its devastation in Florida, Debby headed back into the Atlantic, where it gathered more strength and picked up more water before making a second landfall near Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. The storm caused additional flooding and some wind damage across North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina. Up to ten feet of storm surges was expected for many places, and some areas along the coast saw over 30 inches of rain over a short time period according to AP News.
According to Nesdis.noaa.gov, by August 9th over 35 million people from South Carolina to Vermont were under watch of flash floods.
With the first week in August being a popular week for family vacations, many people’s trips were cancelled, cut short, or altered due to Hurricane Debby.
Thousands of flights were delayed or canceled. 18,000 total flights were cancelled and another 5,000 were delayed. Areas most impacted were 3,800 Florida flights on Saturday and Sunday alone according to Travel & Leisure. Another 4,200 flights in Charlotte NC were disrupted.
USA Today reports that some cruise lines changed their itineraries, including Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. The Margaritaville at Sea Islander was delayed due to closed waterways at Port Tampa Bay.
Vacationers on the coasts of the Carolinas were also impacted, with thousands opting to cancel, reschedule, or leave early.
MMS eighth-grade teacher Mrs. Saunders was staying in Holden Beach, a small coastal inlet in North Carolina. She noted that she was worried for her and her family’s safety as they stayed in a home located between the Intracoastal Waterway and the beach. She explained that on Tuesday morning after four tornado warnings in the area, the town issued a voluntary evacuation. The Saunders family contemplated packing up and leaving early but after speaking with some locals “decided to stay and get ready for the worst.” They stocked up on drinking water, candles, and non-perishable food incase of power outages and moved vehicles to higher ground. She noted that water levels in the ICW rose quickly and that many roads in the area flooded. They saw intense winds and heavy rains, but Saunders noted that they were glad they stayed, as the storm passed relatively quickly and they were able to enjoy sunny days both before and after Debby came through.
After claiming four lives and causing $1 billion in damages along the US coast, Debby has left many trying to cleanup and rebuild.
