Hurricane Debby brings dangerous flooding and rain to the southeastern US

Hurricane Debby is set to wreak havoc with torrential rains and flooding as it moves through Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, bringing potentially record-breaking rainfall and life-threatening storm surge.

Kimberly Chandler and Christopher O’Meara report for the Associated Press.

In short:

• Hurricane Debby is expected to hit Florida's Big Bend coast on Monday, causing catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surges as it moves slowly across Florida before stalling over Georgia and South Carolina.
• Officials warn of potentially record-breaking rainfall, with some areas possibly receiving up to 30 inches of rain, threatening major flooding, particularly in low-lying coastal regions like Savannah and Charleston.
• Emergency declarations have been made by governors in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, with evacuations underway and thousands of National Guard members activated to assist.

Key quote:

“There’s some really amazing rainfall totals being forecast and amazing in a bad way.”

— Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center

Why this matters:

It’s not just about the immediate chaos of the storm. Floodwaters can carry chemical runoff, raw sewage, and debris, which pose serious risks to both the ecosystem and public health. Read more: Robbie Parks on why hurricanes are getting deadlier.