SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — The drought the Cape Fear Region was under a few weeks ago has turned to saturated grounds. Tropical Storm Debby has brought a deluge of rainfall to the southeast in the last 72 hours, with more to come to North Carolina — though less than what once was anticipated.
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The National Weather Service’s morning update indicates the area can expect an additional 4 to 9 inches of rain — with higher amounts in some areas — as Debby continues to linger over the region for the next 24 hours. This lessens rainfall predictions from the once-anticipated up to 16 inches and in some areas 20. Yet, “considerable” flash-flooding still is in effect and motorists are advised to stay off the roads.
The NWS has already reported rainfall up to 4 inches in towns closer to the South Carolina border, such as Calabash in Brunswick County. Shallotte, Sunny Point, Ocean Isle, Leland and Wilmington all have received more than 2 inches since weather conditions have worsened due to Debby.
Some passthroughs in Brunswick County are also seeing the aftereffects. According to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, Mill Branch Road and Danford Road near George II Highway in Bolivia and Bellamy Road near the Longwood and Ash communities were pooling with water Tuesday evening.
The messaging from officials has been steadfast: “Turn around, don’t drown,” particularly when night-driving as rain puddles aren’t as evident.
Located 65 miles from Charleston, South Carolina, the tropical cyclone is moving 5-miles-per-hour toward North Carolina, with Debby’s core in the mid-Atlantic. Her bands are reaching 175 miles from the eye, meaning lulls in downpours and dry spells will continue to blanket the region.
She is expected to come ashore again — first landing in Big Bend Florida on Monday as a category 1 hurricane — in South Carolina on Wednesday evening and will gain speed, moving northward inland into North Carolina. A tropical storm warning has been executed from the coast of Charleston up to Surf City, North Carolina.
Though a major flooding event so far from Florida to South Carolina, Debby also has spawned isolated tornado warnings, including in Brunswick County on Tuesday; more are expected throughout Wednesday. A shelter at Town Creek Middle School opens in Brunswick County at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, and in Pender County two shelters will open at 3 p.m. at Topsail Elementary and Cape Fear Elementary schools.
There have also been adjustments to wind gusts in Brunswick’s coastal towns, such as Calabash, Holden Beach and Southport, expected to be 40 to 50 miles per hour in some cases. Other areas will see them below tropical storm-force standards, anticipated at 30 to 35 miles per hour.
Peak storm surge in Brunswick areas remains unchanged, between 2 and 4 feet, particularly affecting low-lying areas and vulnerable shorelines that could see overwash. Otherwise, areas in New Hanover and Pender counties can expect 1 to 3 feet.
According to NWS, a window of concern for surge is tonight into Friday morning as Debby’s reach intensifies in the area and coincides with high tides. Surge more than 3 feet is considered dangerous and could affect structures.
Though rainfall expectations have decreased, the amount of water seeping into the soil creates potential for some trees to become uprooted, potentially causing power outages.
And even after Debby passes, rising waters along the Cape Fear River will be impacted. The NWS has predicted the Northeast Cape Fear River near Chinquapin in Duplin County could crest 18 feet by Sunday. By comparison, during 2018’s Hurricane Florence — which dumped more than 20 inches of rain across the region — the NCF River crested at 25.7 feet.
Marine conditions up and down the coastal region also remain dangerous, with high rip currents and surf through Friday.
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