State of emergency declared across Beaufort County as Debby pounds the region (2024)

BEAUFORT COUNTY — Rain is falling in Beaufort County, the beginning of what's expected to be an extended period of heavy downpours that could last until the end of the week.

The culprit is, of course, Tropical Storm Debby.

"We're in it now. The rainfall has started and we expect that to continue," said Ron Morales with the Charleston-based office of the National Weather Service.

About eight hours after morphing from a tropical storm into a hurricane, Debby came ashore around 7 a.m. in the Big Bend region of northwest Florida on Aug. 5.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, it landed as a Category 1 hurricane near Steinhatchee, Fla., less than 20 miles southeast of Keaton Beach, where Hurricane Idalia made landfall Aug. 30, 2023.

Debby is expected to weaken to a tropical storm as it moves overland across Florida and into Georgia and South Carolina, but the National Weather Service warns that residents shouldn't underestimate the potential dangersDebby will bring with it as it slowly makes its way northeast.

"Don't focus on this being 'just a tropical storm,' it can produce life-threatening flash flooding, and that's exactly what we're forecasting here," said Brian Haines, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service based in Charleston. "Make sure to have a plan."

The storm could cross into South Carolina during the afternoon of Aug. 6, then proceed at a plodding pace up the coast over the next few days. It's the slow pace of the storm that is driving concerns over its impact on the region.

The first day of storms was marked by a near steady stream of status updates from local governments, schools and businesses, many of whom have announced the cancellation of office hours for both Tuesday and Wednesday. A number have suggested that the closures could extend into Thursday as well.

The latest notice was from the Town of Hilton Head Island, which declared a state of emergency around 8 p.m., Aug. 5. Joining other local municipalities, the town's administrative offices will be closed Aug. 6-7. Parking and restroom facilities at the town beach, community, and sports parks are also closed. Emergency personnel will remain on duty and actively engaged in storm mitigation efforts.

Beaufort County took a similar action and declared a state of emergency at 2 p.m. Beaufort County Sheriff PJ Tanner made that announcement in a 10-minute video clip posted on the agency's YouTube channel Monday evening.

"Tomorrow and Wednesday, county offices are closed, with a possibility of Thursday. We'll know more come Wednesday, or before," Tanner said.

Storm hazards

Tropical storm and storm surge warnings are already posted in Beaufort County.Beaufort and Jasper Counties are under a tornado watch until 1 a.m., Aug. 6.

Debby is predicted to bring a broad range of potential hazards to the region, including historic amounts of rain, dangerous storm surge, high winds and isolated tornadoes. The slow motion of Tropical Storm Debby will exacerbate many of those hazards.

Rain in the region is expected to continue at least into Thursday, Aug. 8, possibly longer. Accumulations over the full length of the weather event are forecast at 18 to 24 inches in Beaufort County, with locally higher amounts possible.

"This is a very rare event. It's off the charts," Morales said.

With the rain, a dangerous storm surge is also predicted, peaking at 2 to 4 feet above ground level from the South Santee River to the Florida-Georgia border.

The storm surge advisory warns that sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads may be weakened or washed out, especially in normally vulnerable low spots. Moderate to major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes is expected along with strong and numerous rip currents. Minor to moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks and piers is also possible.

While winds weren't initially expected to be a serious problem, that threat has grown. Significant impacts from wind, including possible power outages, are expected.

Isolated tornadoes are possible, mostly in the area east of Interstate 95.

Emergency Management

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office is the lead agency for emergency management in the county. A spokesperson for the agency said a partial opening of the county's Emergency Operations Center is expected to take place Aug. 6.

Virginia Marshall fromBeaufort County Emergency Medical Services, which provides ambulance services for the county, said that agency is monitoring the storm. Downed trees, power lines and flood waters can force ambulances to take alternate routes, but call volume during storms does not necessarily increase.

Schools

Beaufort County School District offices will be closed Aug. 5-7. The first day of school, initially scheduled for Aug. 7, will be postponed, according to an email from spokesperson Candace Bruder.

"We don’t take the possibility of further postponing the start of the school year lightly as to avoid students having to utilize make-up days during the winter break, especially since e-learning is not an option this week as device distribution is still taking place," she said. Another update will come Aug. 7.

Technical College of the Lowcountry will also be closed through Wednesday.

County and Municipal government

Beaufort County government offices will be closed Aug. 6-7. The county declared a state of emergency at 2 p.m.

Bluffton Mayor Larry Toomer declared a state of emergency effective 2 p.m. Aug. 5 and lasting through Aug. 8. This allows the mayor to implement a range of restrictions, like curfews and certain street usage. The status also expands the town manager's power to put emergency certain measures in place, some requiring town council approval. Townoffices will be closed to the public Aug. 6-7.

The City of Beaufort has declared a state of emergency until 11:59 p.m., Aug. 8. City offices will be closed Aug. 6-7.

The Town of Hilton Head Island declared a state of emergency Monday night. It's administrative offices are going to be closed Aug. 6-7.

The heavy rainfall will test the island's stormwater infrastructure in ways that it hasn't been tested in a long time, said Mayor Alan Perry.

"We want people to know is that if you have had some flooding in the past, you most likely will see flooding again. Be prepared for that," Perry said.

Perry and Hilton Head Emergency Manager Tom Dunn urge residents and visitors to stay off the roads, especially as rainfall amounts increase on Aug. 6 and 7. A rescue team is on the island and ready to deploy boats if water rescues are necessary, Dunn said.

Bluffton's municipal court will be closed Aug. 6. Trash and recycling service is canceled Aug. 5-6.

"As a resident, your part is to stay at home and off the roads as much as possible," Mayor Larry Toomer said in a statement.

Services

Beaufort Memorial Hospital announced that many of its services will be closed Aug. 6, including physician practices, outpatient departments, and financial services. The hospital and its emergency room will remain open

In a statement released this afternoon, the Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority said its offices will be closed Aug. 6-7. However, officials there do not expect that water service will be disrupted during the course of the storm.

Hilton Head Island Airport and Beaufort Executive Airport are operating normally at this time, however as Tropical Storm Debby approaches, travelers need to check with their carriers for any possible flight delays and cancellations.

The Daufuskie Island ferry will not be in service Aug. 6-7. Service on Aug. 8 is tentatively canceled as well, but changes in conditions could change that decision. Service is expected to resume Friday, Aug. 9.

Shelters

Jasper County has activated a shelter for county residents without a safe place to weather the storm. Ridgeland School, located at 250 Jaguar Trail in Ridgeland is expected to open Aug. 5 at 4 p.m.