Aug. 7: Charleston lifts curfew, Tropical Storm Debby prepares for 2nd landfall (2024)

Tropical Storm Debbyis loitering in the Atlantic Ocean before making an anticipated second landfall along northern Charleston County's coastline late tonight or early Aug. 8.

The National Weather Service's Charleston office reported that the potential for "life-threatening flooding" has decreased but advised that South Carolina isn't quite out of the woods yet.

Up to four more inches of rain are anticipated through midday Aug. 10 — precipitation that will drop onto already waterlogged soil.

The city of Charleston lifted its curfew at 7:30 a.m., and downtown is once again open for business. Road closures can be found online atgis.charleston-sc.gov/road-closures-regional/.

Keep reading for the latest updates on the storm.

Debby's latest forecast

6:40 p.m.Tropical Storm Debby is swinging back around toward the Santee River area of South Carolina and is anticipated to make landfall again late Aug. 7 or early Aug. 8. From there, it will continue a northern trajectory through the Pee Dee and into North Carolina.

There remains a threat for tropical storm-level winds and wind gusts in Charleston County through Aug. 7 and into the early morning hours of Aug. 8, according to the latest forecast update from the National Weather Service. Isolated power outages, downed trees and strong gusts over bridges are a concern at least through tomorrow morning.

Flash flooding remains a concern, particularly in urban coastal areas like Charleston, although much of the threat for "extreme flooding" from rainfall is moving up the coast.

The Weather Service advises communities across the Lowcountry to keep an eye on river levels in the coming days as Debby's rainfall slowly washes out to the Atlantic Ocean. The Edisto River is anticipated to hit a "major" flood level Aug. 11, and Dorchester and Charleston county officials have begun preparations for the river to enter its flood stage in the early hours of Aug. 8.

—Jonah Chester in Mount Pleasant

Flight delays, cancellations across SC continue

5 p.m. Waves of flight delays and cancellations due to Tropical Storm Debby continued to hit South Carolina's coastal airports Aug. 7.

At Charleston International, 18 flights were canceled and 37 delayed, while at Myrtle Beach International 16 were canceled and 21 delayed as of 5 p.m. It marks the first time this week the two airports ended the day with a number of delayed flights that outweighed cancellations. Since the storm hit Aug. 5, CHS has had 120 cancellations and 137 delayed flights.

Inland airports like Columbia and Greenville-Spartanburg continue to see minimal flight impacts.

—Megan Fernandes in Charleston

National Weather Service investigating tornado reports

4:50 p.m. Scott Edwards and Trey Horn from the National Weather Service investigated a possible tornado on Lady’s Island in Beaufort County at 3:40 p.m.

The high-wind event occurred on Aug. 6 at 12:59 a.m., causing trees in yards on Sams Point Road to split, damaging the front of one car and shingles on the roof of a garage.The homeowner said material things didn’t matter, and she thanked God she was alive.

Edwards said they were evaluating the direction trees fell and the amount of damage. Tornadoes cause debris to fly in different directions. Straight line winds cause trees to fan out.

A tree in the homeowner’s front yard lay almost perpendicular to a downed tree in the backyard.

Edwards will send the report back to the main office in Charleston, where they will use radar data to make a final determination. The Weather Service is conducting additional tornado surveys in Edisto Beach, Moncks Corner, Isle of Palms and has completed surveys on Kiawah Island and for another tornado on Edisto Beach.

—Mitchell Black in Lady's Island

'Not nearly out of the woods yet'

4 p.m.There have still been no reports of deaths from Tropical Storm Debby in South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster said during an Aug. 7 briefing at the state Emergency Management Division office near Columbia.

He compared the state’s situation to being in the second act of a three-act play, having already weathered the initial impact in the Lowcountry but awaiting both a second impact farther north and further river flooding after the rains end.

“We’re not nearly out of the woods yet, and, of course, when the curtain is down, that’s when the cleanup takes place,” McMaster said.

The storm has already damaged 64 homes between Berkeley, Charleston and Colleton counties, particularly in Colleton County, where one home was destroyed and 15 suffered “major damage,” according to preliminary damage estimates from Kim Stenson, director of the Emergency Management Division.

Debby has already dumped between 9 and 17 inches of rain across the southern part of the state and is expected to make another landfall as a strong tropical storm on the morning of Aug. 8, somewhere along the coast of Georgetown or northern Charleston County.

Between 4 and 8 inches of rainfall could still fall through Aug. 9 in the northeast part of the state with less elsewhere. Significant storm surge is no longer expected, but minor coastal flooding is still possible across the northern coast from high tide cycles the evening of Aug. 7 and the morning of Aug. 8.

Some rivers may not crest until the middle of next week, John Quagliariello, a meteorologist with the National Weather Servicesaid.

Some of the state’s response is beginning to shift toward the northeast part of the state around the Pee Dee and Grand Strand, where there is still a threat of isolated tornadoes.

The roughly 300 National Guard soldiers on state active duty and high-water vehicles are beginning to move in that direction, though Maj. Gen. Van McCarty said their focus Aug. 7 is still on the coast.

As of 1 p.m. Aug. 7, the state had 12 emergency shelters open with 107 people inside, which is up from the same time Aug. 6, though shelters are opening and closing quickly based on changing conditions, according to Mike Leach, director of the Department of Social Services.

After a small dam in Colleton County was breached Aug. 6, the state Department of Environmental Services did not receive any reports of further dam breaches overnight or in the morning of Aug. 7.

A state rescue team has done two “assisted evacuations” in the city of Charleston, helping someone get out of a flooded area and assisting EMS prepare a patient to be transported, said Emily Farr, director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

—Ian Grenier in Columbia

Update from Dorchester County

3:40 p.m.Dorchester County officials are going door-to-door to notify residents near the Edisto River of the potential flood threat as the river rises. The Edisto near Givhans Ferry State Park is forecast to hit flood stage early Aug. 8 and reach a "major" flood level by Aug. 11, according to a U.S. Geological Survey riverlevel monitor. At that level, the entire floodplain from Canadys to Highway 17 is inundated, damaging homes and buildings and severely impeding travel through the area.

Flooding along that stretch of the river can take days, and sometimes weeks, to fully subside.

County officials are monitoring the river's levels and will notify residents if evacuations become necessary, according to a press release. Sandbags are available to residents at Ridgeville Town Hall (105 School St, Ridgeville, SC 29472) and Dorchester County Fire Station 15 (3336 Wire Road, St. George, SC 29477). There is a limit of 10 bags per resident or business owner, and residents should bring their own shovels as the sites operate on a "fill-it-yourself" model.

—Jonah Chester in Mount Pleasant

Update from Charleston County

3:30 p.m.Charleston County officials are reminding residents parked in county garages to move by 3 p.m. Aug. 8 to take advantage of the free storm parking. Any vehicles removed after the deadline will be subject to regular parking rates.

The county's emergency shelters at Matilda Dunston Elementary School and 3831 Leeds Avenue will also be closing at 3 p.m. Aug. 8, according to a press release.

Public works crews will begin assessing damage from the storm at noon Aug. 8.

County officials will continue to monitor the Edisto River's level as it rises and advise residents in that area to be ready to evacuate to higher ground in the coming days if necessary.

—Jonah Chester in Mount Pleasant

FEMA: Prepare for Debby's second hit

3 p.m.FEMA is working to provide relief to South Carolina in the wake of Tropical Storm Debby, but the agency warns recovery may take some time if the storm makes a resurgence tonight.

“The storm has moved offshore, but we have every expectation for it to make a second landfallsomewhere between the Charleston area and the Horry County area (Aug. 8),” said Lucas Hitt, FEMA’s deputy associate administrator for the Office of External Affairs.

President Joe Biden authorized an emergency declaration for South Carolina on Aug. 3, which opens federal assistance to ensure the state has all the necessary resources to handle immediate response. That includes emergency protective measures and resources to keep people and infrastructure protected.

While the rain lifted as of Aug. 7 and the worst of Debby seems to have passed, Lucas insisted people remain cautious before heading outside or heading home if they evacuated. He expects another bout of tropical storm force winds that have potential to bring additional tornado activity and more rain overnight.

“Rain is one thing on its own, but cumulatively that makes the ground less ready to absorb more water, it makes trees more vulnerable to falling. It makes structures particularly more vulnerable because the ground is saturated,” he said. “People need to stay on guard.”

The rain is expected to move up toward North Carolina the morning of Aug. 8, but Lucas warns of the trickle-down effect that could cause further trouble later in the week.

“We all know the rain that falls in North Carolina is going to come down the rivers and it's gonna end up in the Charleston Harbor,” he said. “So that river flooding is is still going to impact the Lowcountry area, but it's a few days out.”

In the next few days, Lucas said the most important advice is to listen to local and state officials, the mayors and county managers who have the detailed data specific to each area. For those that need shelter, he recommended texting “Shelter” to 43362 to receive an automatic list of the shelters in the immediate area.

“We will continue working with the state and make sure that they have the resources they need to recover,” he said. “The state will ask us what they need, and we’ll provide it and be a partner until this is over."

—Teri Errico Griffis in Charleston

Sinkhole near Charleston's Medical District

2:20 p.m.A sinkhole is developing near Charleston's Medical District on Ashley Avenue between Spring and Cannon streets. The northbound part of the road has been closed to traffic, according to the city's road closure website.

— Jonah Chester in Mount Pleasant and Laura Bilson in Charleston.

Colleton County dam secure

1:40 p.m.After previously seeing water spill over the top due to rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby on Aug. 6, the McGrady Dam is no longer considered to have a potential risk of failure, according to Colleton County Fire-Rescue.

K.C. Campbell, the spokesperson for the department, said the "water is within the banks and it (the dam) is doing exactly what it's intended to do."

He did mention that there was a levee breach of a 20-acre pond on private land, which resulted in damage to the land and the complete loss of the pond.

Campbell said the focus of the department has now shifted to ensuring safety around the county's flooding waterways in the coming days.

"The thing that we're just kind of focusing on now is the Edisto River and Ireland Creek. Ireland Creek is in flood stage, and the Edisto is projected somewhere in the 15-foot range," Campbell said. "That's something that we're going to be monitoring for a while. You know, this event now is obviously a marathon. It's not a race."

Alongside Ireland Creek, what was once a parking lot to a strip mall and a local, independently owned cinema is now an impassable lake after the creek hit flood stage Aug. 6. A U.S. Geological Survey water gauge indicated the river peaked at just below a "major" flood stage in the early hours of Aug. 7. It has since dropped slightly but remains high.

— Komlavi Adissem in Ladson and Caitlin Bell in Walterboro

Debby to make 2nd landfall near Charleston

Noon Rain bands from Debby are circling off Charleston's coast as the slow-moving tropical storm gears up for a second landfall.

Ron Morales, an NWS meteorologist, said Debby will likely strike Charleston County's northern coastline late tonight or in the early hours of Aug. 8, slightly sooner than previous estimations.

Debby, which first made landfall Aug. 5 in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 1 hurricane, is expected to remain a tropical storm, Morales said.

"Looks like we have been given a gift here that dodged most of the really catastrophic issues with this system," he said. "Fingers crossed."

An additional 6 inches of rain are expected through 8 a.m. Aug. 10, with intensification possible as Debby nears its second landfall.

Meteorologists are now primarily turning their attention to rivers in the coastal portions of South Carolina and Georgia, some of which are threatened with record-high floods.

The Ogeechee River near Eden, Ga., and the Canoochee River near Claxton, Ga., are expected to crest at 17 feet or higher, according to NWS.

The Edisto River near Givhans Ferry State Park in Ridgeville is expected to reach flood stage late tonight before crossing into the major threshold of 15 feet by Aug. 11.

Dorchester County sheriff's deputies will visit residents this afternoon along the Edisto River to make sure they know flooding is eminent, according to a post on its Facebook account.

Deputies will leave blue tags on the door if residents aren't home. Anyone with questions can call 843-832-0393 or visitfloodsmart.gov.

Morales said NWS crews are in the process of assessing damage from two confirmed tornadoes, plus investigating whether others occurred around the Lowcountry.

Crews are returning today to Edisto Island where an EF-1 twister struck late Aug. 5 to determine if a second one formed. They will also visit Lady's Island in Beaufort County and Moncks Corner in Berkeley County, where a tornado destroyed an Arby's restaurant.

Possible tornadoes were reported on Isle of Palms and in West Ashley near Bees Ferry and Ashley River roads; NWS is continuing to look into those, Morales said.

— Jocelyn Grzeszczak in Charleston

I-526 exit ramp indefinitely closed

11:30 a.m. An Interstate 526 exit ramp prone to erosion is indefinitely closed after Debby washed out the road.

The ramp located at Dorchester Road and Paramount Drive shut down late Aug. 6, according to the North Charleston Police Department. Crews with the S.C. Department of Transportation are currently onsite working to repair the exit.

Images of the site show a large downhill slide of loosened mud and dirt coming from below a guardrail.

The same section of the interstate washed out last year and had been eroding before Debby's arrival, a city spokesman said. Heavy rains from the tropical storm beginning Aug. 5 worsened the situation.

About 48 state roads, most in the Lowcountry, faced closings as of midday Aug. 6, according to the DOT. All major interstates remain open, though Interstate 95 has several ramps closed because of standing water.

— Alan Hovorka in North Charleston

Residents asked to report damage

11:15 a.m. Local governments asked their residents for help logging structural and water damage from Debby.

City officials in North Charleston urged citizens to submit their findings on this website, regardless of severity. Spokesman Tony Tassarotti said residents should report the number of inches of floodwater in living and garage spaces, plus affected mechanical systems like HVAC units.

Documenting damage is essential for securing federal disaster assistance, Tassarotti wrote in an email. City inspectors will conduct safety inspections at each reported home — even ones covered by insurance, he added.

Dorchester County officials asked residents to do the same, either by filling out this online form or calling 843-832-0393.

Those living in the city of Charleston can report property damage such as flooding, fallen trees or affected utilities through this link or by calling 843-724-7311.

— Jocelyn Grzeszczak in Charleston

Moncks Corner Walmart reopens

10:24 a.m. After tornado damage to its roof and front facade forced the Walmart nearN. Highway 52 to close Aug. 6, the store is back open to shoppers.

"We are extremely grateful that no one was hurt," the store's social media account posted this morning as an update to welcome customers.

The Walmart was one of several businesses rocked by a tornado that briefly swept through the town as Debby inched toward South Carolina. Nearby businesses in the shopping plaza had windows blown out and signs missing, but the Arby's across the street was gutted from the storm.

— Megan Fernandes in Moncks Corner

Latest forecast info for Debby

8:17 a.m. Debby is expected to make a second landfall— still as a tropical storm— along South Carolina's coast early Aug. 8, according to NWS meteorologists. Exactly where, however, remains unclear.

The highest levels of rain are expected today, with the greatest threat along and north of Interstate 26. Charleston International Airport reported a two-day rainfall total of 9.47 inches early Aug. 7. Meteorologists expect South Carolina to see an additional 2-6 inches through Aug. 10, with up to 8 inches possible in some areas.

Meteorologists said there's now little to no threat in South Carolina of tornadoes or storm surge. But the potential for tropical storm-force wind gusts remains into Aug. 8, along with the possibility of scattered power outages.

Long-term river flooding continues to be a concern at least into next week and possibly beyond, according to NWS officials.

The Canoochee River in Claxton, Ga., was observed this morning at 17 feet, pushing the river well into the major flood stage. Several homes near the river and U.S. Highway 129 could be affected by floodwaters, according to the National Weather Prediction Service.

In the Palmetto State, the Edisto River near Givhans Ferry State Park in Ridgeville is slated to cross the major flood threshold of 15 feet on Aug. 11.

This would cause the entire flood plain to become inundated between Canadys —an unincorporated community in Colleton County — and S.C. Highway 17.

— Jocelyn Grzeszczak in Charleston

Charleston lifts curfew

7:30 a.m. Charleston officials lifted the citywide curfew that was in place since 11 p.m. Aug. 5, and the main thoroughfares leading onto the peninsula have reopened.

"After assessing overnight conditions, officials have determined that it is safe to return to normal activities," according to a statement from the city.

Despite easing restrictions, local leaders encouraged caution as Debby could still cause downed trees and power lines.

"The incredible people of our city demonstrated a strong response to Tropical Storm Debby. City staff and the citizens of Charleston worked together to prioritize the safety of our residents and our emergency personnel," Mayor William Cogswell said in the statement. "We will remain vigilant as Debby lingers nearby, but for now we are just grateful for everyone doing their part."

As of 7:45 a.m., only Etiwan Avenue in West Ashley remained closed due to flooding, according to the city’s online tracker.

Barricades could remain if more roads become inundated, the city warned. It is against state law to drive around or move barricades. Charleston police officers ticketed nine drivers for doing so during the storm.

Crews will be out assessing damage and cleaning debris. Residents can report damage online at this link or through the Citizen’s Service Desk, which can be reached by phone, 843-724-7311, or via email at citizenservices@charleston-sc.gov.

City parking garages remain open for free until 8 a.m. Aug. 9. When exiting, residents should press the call button and inform the operator they parked there during the storm to leave without paying.

Trash pickup remains canceled for the week as the county’s landfill is closed due to the storm.

"City employees worked around the clock to clear drains and alleviate flooding, clear roads, and make sure our city was safe. If you see a member of our team, thank them," the mayor added. "Our local businesses and hospitality industry also stepped up and helped support our team and abide by the curfew. Let’s thank them by supporting local businesses over the next few days."

Charleston's flood-prone City Market remained deserted, but mostly dry, as residents awaited word on the curfew status. Streets were nearly empty aside from the occasional runner or dog walker.

— Ali Rockett and Glenn Smith in Charleston

NWS says 2 tornadoes linked to Debby

6:55 a.m. Meteorologists confirmed two tornadoes as Debby unleashed its wrath over the Charleston area.

One twister, rated EF-1, struck Edisto Island just after 9:30 p.m. Aug. 5, according to a NWS damage report. Officials estimated it was nearly 3 miles long and 300 yards wide— the length of three football fields.

The tornado clocked wind speeds of 97 mph after it moved ashore near S.C. Highway 174 and Palmetto Boulevard, tearing up trees and ripping off the roofs of several homes. A gas station was also damaged.

No injuries were reported, but the full scale of destruction isn't fully known. Officials noted they had limited time Aug. 6 to conduct their survey.

Meteorologist Ron Morales said crews are normally sent out as soon as possible, but Debby was straining their workflow.

"We have to go when it safe. We have to go when we have people," he said.

NWS confirmed another tornado touched down in Moncks Corner. Officials haven't released information about its path or strength, but daylight revealed significant damage to several structures.

An Arby's at 514 U.S. North Highway 52 was among the worst hit. Bright red chairs lay scattered in the parking lot, which was littered with broken shards of glass, insulation and other debris. It looked as if someone reached a hand into the restaurant and gutted it from the inside out.

Behind it at TruAuto Moncks Corner, a pickup truck was flipped upside down beside bent light poles and uprooted trees. Across the street, Walmart employees stood at the entrance behind yellow tape turning away customers.

The parking lot was full of uprooted trees and cart returns that looked like they'd been disassembled piece by piece. The main entrance windows were shattered, and portions of the roof were ripped off. One person suffered minor injuries after being cut by glass.

Residents on Isle of Palms and in West Ashley also reported possible tornadoes in the early hours of Aug. 6. No one was injured, though strong winds downed trees and power lines. At least one home on Isle of Palms was damaged.

— Komlavi Adissem, Teri Errico Griffis, Anna Sharpe, Megan Fernandes and Jocelyn Grzeszczak

Another rainfall record set

6 a.m. Debby's center is about 60 miles southeast of Charleston, clocking 45 mph wind speeds as it loiters off South Carolina's coast.

Heavy rainfall in the area is expected to last through Aug. 8, according to NWS officials. The storm set another record total in downtown Charleston — 3.56 inches, which barely edged out the previous high of3.46 inches set in 1992.

The city of Charleston's curfew remained in place until 7:30 a.m., shuttering access to the peninsula.

— Jocelyn Grzeszczak in Charleston