Already soaked Midlands prepares for more rain from Debby. Here’s when it’s coming

After dousing the Midlands with rain Tuesday, Tropical Storm Debby has moved off the South Carolina coast. But it won’t stay there for long as the storm is forecast to dump even more rain on the Columbia area Wednesday night and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Tropical Storm Debby soaked parts of the Midlands with more than 6 inches of rain Tuesday, National Weather Service Hydrologist Leonard Vaughan told The State on Wednesday.

Between 2-3 inches of rain was recorded Tuesday in parts of Columbia and Lexington, Vaughan said.

Wednesday morning was less active as Tropical Storm Debby shifted over the Atlantic Ocean. But the lull won’t last for long, the National Weather Service said in a briefing.

By Friday night, another 4-6 inches of rain could fall in the Midlands, with some areas receiving up to 8 moreinches, according to the briefing.

Localized amounts in other areas of the Midlands could be higher, especially in the case of thunderstorms, the National Weather Service said.

With that continued excessive rain, major flooding remains possible through Friday, according to the National Weather Service. The flood watch that went into effect earlier in the week was extended through Friday morning.

The flood watch includes Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Sumter, Lee, Clarendon, Calhoun, Fairfield and Orangeburg counties.

Excessive runoff could result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, according to the National Weather Service. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible.

Both the excessive rain and flooding are more likely because the tropical storm is moving slowly, according to the briefing.

As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, Tropical Storm Debby was moving northeast at 4 mph, and had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. That’s slower than the 10 mph pace and 75 mph wind speeds recorded Monday morning when Debby was at hurricane-level strength.

As the storm was about 50 miles east of Charleston on Wednesday morning, it had tropical-storm-force winds that extended up to 175 miles out, the National Hurricane Center said.

“Today we’re not looking for as much rain across the area with Debby swirling off the coast,” Vaughan said. “But we do have more rain coming in tonight and on Thursday as Debby comes back in overnight and continues to move north to the Pee Dee and North Carolina on Thursday night.”

Debby is expected to pick up speed as it moves north, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The National Weather Service continues to maintain that Debby’s winds are not expected to be a major threat to the Columbia area. Wind gusts between 30-40 mph are possible, and some tree damage may occur with these gusts because of the saturated soil, the National Weather Service said in the briefing.

The possibility of tornadoes cannot be ruled out, as a limited threat remains, the National Weather Service said in the briefing. Tornadoes could form through Thursday, according to the briefing.

Powerful winds and tornadoes could cause considerable damage to trees and branches, in addition to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings. Vehicles would also be under siege in the case of a tornado.

Damage to trees and branches creates the possibility of downed power lines and outages.

Even after Debby moves beyond the Columbia area, more thunderstorms are possible on Friday. But the forecast for the weekend calls for sunny conditions with temperatures in the 90s.

This story was originally published August 7, 2024 at 9:13 AM with the headline "Already soaked Midlands prepares for more rain from Debby. Here’s when it’s coming."

Noah Feit

The State

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Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription