Tropical Storm Debby live: Southeast US braces for historic levels of rainfall as hurricane death toll rises

The death toll continues to rise as Tropical Storm Debby thrashed parts of Florida on Monday, before it set course for Georgia and South Carolina as the regions battle against historical levels of rainfall.

Debby, which was downgraded from a Category 1 storm, crossed the Florida-Georgia border late on Monday, and is continuing to drift through southern Georgia through to the South Carolina coast over the coming days. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has urged both states to prepare for “catastrophic flooding,” in a Tuesday morning update.

South Carolina has already began facing the brunt of the storm, with two tornadoes wiping out power lines and damaging homes on Edisto Beach and Seabrook Island. Charleston could also get more rain in five days than it typically records in an entire summer.

At least five people were killed, including 13-year-old boy in Levy County after a tree fell, as the storm charted a path through Florida. A 38-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy also died in an SUV crash in Dixie County.

Hundreds have been rescued from their homes as more than 16 inches fell in the Sunshine State on Monday, causing “catastrophic” flash flooding. The mayor for Savannah, Georgia, warned its citizens to “hunker down” for a “rough day” as they prepared for Tuesday’s conditions.

The NHC first announced that Debby had made landfall near Steinhatchee, Florida, on Monday morning with winds of 80 mph, making it a Category 1 storm.

Key Points

• Georgia and South Carolina to face ‘life-threatening’ storm surge

• Mapped: Tropical Storm Debby’s path

• Death toll rises in storm related incidents

• Debby downgraded to tropical storm

Cars flipped and Walmart shopping carts ‘flying in air’ after suspected South Carolina tornado

13:10 , James Liddell

A possible tornado allegedly caused cars to flip over and Walmart shopping carts to “fly in the air” in South Carolina.

Moncks Corner Mayor Thomas Hamilton Jr claimed that a tornado struck near Highway 52 in the Berkeley County town early on Tuesday morning.

“We had minor injuries from the glass at Walmart,” he told local news station Live 5 News.

He added that “shopping carts were flying in the air” around one local resident who he said sustained minor injuries.

Hamilton also said that an RV was seen flipped as local fire services and police responded to the scene who are working on so-called hurricane shifts.

Pictures taken by the mayor and obtained by WCBD-TV show two damaged white pick-up trucks – one flipped completely upside down on top of the other.

Tornado warning issued to 2m North Carolina and South Carolina residents

12:50 , James Liddell

A new National Weather Service tornado watch warning has been issued for parts of North Carolina and South Carolina on Tuesday morning.

Almost 2 million residents are susceptible to potential tornado exposure including 402 schools and 39 hospitals in an area which stretches from Charleston, SC, to Burgaw, NC, the announcement said.

Half-inch hail stones could also pelt the two states along with gusts of up to 70mph.

The alert is valid until 5pm ET on Tuesday.

Tracking Tropical Storm Debby: Rainfall, wind, flooding and storm surge

12:30 , James Liddell

Pictured: Thousands of linemen assembled to repair storm-battered Florida

12:10 , James Liddell

Prior to the arrival of Tropical Storm Debby, Florida coordinated with over 17,000 power line repair technicians to be in place once the extreme weather made landfall.

Bryan Griffin, of the governor’s office, shared a photo of the effort.

‘Life-threatening’ storm surge expected across Georgia and South Carolina coasts

11:50 , James Liddell

Watch: Police helicopter shows Hillsborough underwater after devastating floods

11:32 , James Liddell

‘Extreme rainfall’ could see surge in evacuation and rescue efforts in Georgia

11:10 , James Liddell

“Extreme rainfall” could prompt a surge of evacuation and rescue efforts in parts of Georgia, that National Hurricane Center said on Tuesday morning.

The 5.24am notice added that some structures could become uninhabitable and, in worst the instances, could be totally washed away. Brutal winds could cause damage to properties and blow away light objects which aren’t tethered down.

Driving conditions “remain dangerous” in the state, the noticed added. It warned that bridges may have become weakened or could be washed out.

Mid-Atlantic through to New England could succumb to ‘considerable flash flooding’

10:49 , James Liddell

Parts of the Mid-Atlantic could succumb to flash floods by Sunday morning, the National Hurricane Center has said in a a 5am ET key message briefing on Tuesday.

“Heavy rainfall will likely result in flooding impacts from northern North Carolina through portions of Mid-Atlantic States and southern New England through Sunday morning,” it read.

Parts of North Carolina can expect up to 12 inches of rainfall which may result in “considerable flash and urban flooding” along with possible river flooding.

Latest pictures: Tropical Storm Debbie batters parts of Florida and Georgia

10:32 , James Liddell

Urgent warning over ‘significant risk’ of flash floods

10:10 , James Liddell

The National Hurricane Center has put out an urgent warning over the “significant risk” of flash floods across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

The notice came during its 5am EDT Tropical Storm Debby public advisory notice.

It added that the Center of Debby is expected to move offshore the Georgia coast later on Tuesday.

Flash flooding is expected to continue across parts of Southeastern US for the coming days.

Debby blows ‘$1m’ of cocaine onto Florida Keys beach

09:49 , James Liddell

Tracking Debby: Where is the tropical storm headed today?

09:35 , James Liddell

Debby was strengthened to a Category 1 storm on Monday morning as it churned through the Sunshine State, before later being downgraded back to a tropical storm.

The tropical storm pushed slowly north-northeast through the Sunshine State at 10mph, bringing with it as much as 16 inches of rain in central Florida. It approached the Florida-Georgia border late on Monday evening, but where is it heading next?

Myriam Page and James Liddell have been designated The Independent’s weather-watchers and have been tracking the storm.

Mapped: Tracking Tropical Storm Debby as it makes landfall in Florida

In pictures: Aftermath as Debby churns through Florida and Georgia

09:14 , James Liddell

‘Major flood threat’ as center of storm sits over Southeastern Georgia

08:52 , James Liddell

The National Hurricane Center, which is closely tracking Tropical Storm Debby, has said that the center of the storm currently sits over Southeastern Georgia.

On Tuesday morning, it warned of “major flood threats” for the south-east over the coming days as Debby slowly makes its approach to the Atlantic Ocean.

“Deadly hazards remain” in Florida including downed power lines and severe flooding, after the storm ripped through the Sunshine State.

Shocking video shows flooded town square in Florida

08:41 , James Liddell

Much of northern Florida is trying to dry out after Tropical Storm Debby made landfall earlier today.

Waters inundated much of downtown Live Oak, Florida, as captured by meteorologist Elisa Raffa.

You know when the Waffle House is closed, it means bad news

07:59 , Josh Marcus

Waffle House, the legendary US breakfast 24-hour chain, is so famous for staying open through all conditions that people joke there’s a Waffle House index ahead of a natural disaster.

When Waffle House is closed, that means it’s bad news.

As Joe Kovac Jr. of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the Waffle House in Valdosta, Georgia, the soon-to-be center of Tropical Storm Debby, was closed on Monday evening.

Pumps lower lake levels in Charleston as Debby expected to bring heavy rains

06:48 , Josh Marcus

Officials in Charleston, South Carolina, are pumping down water levels in area lakes, ahead of heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby.

Six dead in storm related incidents

05:49 , Stuti Mishra

Trees felled in the storm killed a 12-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy in Levy County, officials and law enforcement said. A 19-year-old man was killed near Valdosta, Georgia, when a tree fell onto a porch, police said.

Others killed in the storm included a truck driver who lost control of an 18-wheeler on Interstate 75 and went into the Tampa Bypass Canal, and a 38-year-old woman and her 12-year-old son whose SUV crashed in Dixie County north of Tampa in stormy weather, according to law enforcement.

Biden approves South Carolina emergency declaration

05:45 , Stuti Mishra

The White House on Monday approved a request from South Carolina to declare an emergency ahead of the imminent arrival of Tropical Storm Debby.Joe Biden previously approved a similar declaration from Florida because of the storm. The White House said in a statement that it is monitoring Debby as it makes its way across Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.“Personnel from the DOD, HHS, US Army Corps of Engineers, and US Coast Guard have deployed and are prepared to support,” it said.“The president continues to urge residents to remain vigilant and heed the warnings of State and local officials.”

Video: Tornado passes through South Carolina

04:41 , Stuti Mishra

Footage shared on X shows a tornado passing through Edisto Island, South Carolina, leaving homes with significant damage.

‘We don’t have any monetary damages, just emotional damage'

03:45 , Josh Marcus

Major storms damage more than just buildings.

They also leave an emotional impact, according to Cheri and Rusty Jakes of Steinhatchee, Florida, where Debby first made landfall.

Their property was under a foot of water during the storm surge.

“We don’t have any monetary damages, just emotional damage,” said Ms Jakes told The New York Times. “All of my children’s baby books got flooded...That’s the most devastating thing. I don’t care about anything else right now.”

Watch: Charleston mayor announces curfew as Tropical Storm Debby rages

02:45 , Josh Marcus

Charleston, South Carolina, mayor William Cogswell announced a curfew would go into effect for the city overnight, as Tropical Storm Debby is set to bring 10 to 12 inches of rain in the coming house.

Watch more of his remarks via WTAT.

Update: NHC warns of ‘torrential rains’ as Debby moves north

01:45 , Josh Marcus

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to bring torrential rains as it continues to move north into Georgia overnight, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm, now about 50 miles outside of Valdosta, Georgia, will bring winds of 45mph, storm surge, and 6 to 12 inches of rainfall across Florida and North Carolina through Wednesday morning.

Southeast Georgia and the Carolinas, meanwhile, can expect 10 to 20 inches of rainfall.

“This potentially historic rainfall will likely result in areas of catastrophic flooding,” the NHC warned.

North Carolina declares state of emergency

01:15 , Josh Marcus

North Carolina has declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Debby continues making its way north.

“As the storm approaches our state, please take precautions and stay safe,” North Carolina governor Roy Cooper wrote on X.

Read the full declaration here.

Falling tree kills Georgia teen, fifth death from storm

Tuesday 6 August 2024 00:45 , Josh Marcus

Tropical Storm Debby has now reportedly killed five people since making landfall earlier today.

A 19-year-old in Moutlrie, Georgia, died on Monday when a tree fell on the side of his house, according to Colquitt County officials, CNN reports.

Four others have died in the storm in car crashes and another falling tree incident.

Tropical Storm Debby blows 70lbs of cocaine onto beach in Florida

Tuesday 6 August 2024 00:16 , Josh Marcus

Well this certainly wasn’t in the forecast.

Tropical Storm Debby, in addition to bringing heavy rains and flooding to the Gulf Coast of Florida, also blew 25 packages of cocaine onto a beach in the Florida Keys, according to Samuel Briggs II, of the Border Patrol.

The packages of drugs, marked with a red, X-like symbol, have a street value of over $1m.

Even as Debby passes, risks remain in Florida

Monday 5 August 2024 23:34 , Josh Marcus

Tropical Storm Debby may be moving out of the north of Florida and towards the southeastern coastal US, but it still leaves plenty of risks behind, according to the National Hurricane Center.

“Deadly hazards remain, including downed power lines and flooded areas,” the NHC wrote in an afternoon update. “Ensure generators are properly ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Exercise caution when using chainswas and power tools, and drink plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion.”

Florida police hunt for missing man after sunken boat found

Monday 5 August 2024 22:55 , Josh Marcus

Police in the city of Gulfport, Florida, near Tampa, are searching for Brian J Clough, 48, a local sailor whose boat was found sunken on Monday.

A local boater found the wreck and searched for Clough inside, but the man wasn’t to be found, though his dog was still onboard, according to Gulfport police.

“The Gulfport Police Department has checked with the local boating community but Clough has not yet been located,” the department told WFLA. “When weather conditions improve, additional resource will be used in the search.”

Coast Guard rescues two boaters stranded during Tropical Storm Debby

Monday 5 August 2024 22:15 , Josh Marcus

Hillsborough County officials show recovery of semi truck

Monday 5 August 2024 21:50 , Josh Marcus

What Debby’s landfall looked like from space

Monday 5 August 2024 21:25 , Josh Marcus

Over 500 people have been rescued in this Florida city

Monday 5 August 2024 21:00 , Josh Marcus

Sarasota, Florida, is among the cities on the state’s Gulf Coast hit hard by tropical storm Debby.

According to local first responders, about 500 people have been rescued from flooded homes so far.

South Carolina braces for Debby’s arrival

Monday 5 August 2024 20:38 , Josh Marcus

As tropical storm Debby continues to work its way across the southeast, South Carolina is bracing for the extreme weather to arrive later this week.

By Saturday morning, the state could receive between 10 and 20 inches of rain along its coastal planes, with predicted storm surge of up to four feet and a 70 percent chance of flash flooding along the coast, according to the South Carolina Daily Gazette.

Ron DeSantis warns Florida residents: Don’t try to dry through the storm

Monday 5 August 2024 20:08 , Josh Marcus

Florida governor Ron DeSantis had a warning Monday to residents as tropical storm Debby continues to bring heavy rains and flooding to the state.

“When the water rises, when you have streets that can be flooded, that’s hazardous,” DeSantis said at a public briefing. “Don’t try to drive through this. We don’t want to see traffic fatalities adding up.”

Watch his full remarks here.

Two other reportedly killed in Dixie County

Monday 5 August 2024 19:40 , Ariana Baio

An adult and child were reportedly killed in a car crash in Dixie County, Florida on Sunday evening while driving on wet roads, ABC News first reported.

A 38-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle while driving and crashed into a center median guardrail before overturning the car, the Florida Highway Patrol told the news outlet.

A 12-year-old was killed in the crash. Another 14-year-old boy was seriously injured.

That brings the known death total up to four.

President Joe Biden briefed on Debby

Monday 5 August 2024 19:00 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden was briefed on his administration’s ongoing response to Tropical Storm Debby Monday morning, deploying FEMA to states affected by the storm and remaining in contact with governors.

Biden already approved Florida’s request for an Emergency Declaration on Saturday. Rescue personnel will bring meals and clean water to those in need.

FEMA staff are being deployed to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina to assist with ongoing needs as well.

In photos: Debby makes landfall in Florida as a Hurricane

Monday 5 August 2024 18:30 , Ariana Baio

Another death confirmed

Monday 5 August 2024 18:00 , Ariana Baio

Another person has died in Florida during Tropical Storm Debby, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a Facebook post.

The driver of a semi-truck was found deceased inside the cab of the truck on Monday afternoon after he veered off the road and into a bypass canal on I-275 in the early hours of the morning.

“We send our condolences to the driver’s family,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Even the harshest conditions didn’t stop our deputies working swiftly in this tragic situation.”

The driver’s death is the second one to be confirmed in Florida amid the tropical storm.

Thirteen year old killed during storm

Monday 5 August 2024 17:20 , Ariana Baio

A 13-year-old boy died after a tree fell on a mobile home in Levy County, Florida in the middle of Hurricane Debby.

On Monday, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office announced that the young boy was killed when winds caused the tree to topple over, crushing the inside of the home.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with this family as they deal with this tragedy. We encourage everyone to use extreme caution as they begin to assess and clean up the damage. Downed powerlines and falling trees are among the many hazards. One life is too many. Please be safe,” Sheriff McCallum said in a statement.

No other injuries were reported.

Tracking Topical Storm Debby

Monday 5 August 2024 17:00 , Ariana Baio

Mapped: Tracking Hurricane Debby as it approaches Florida

Coast Guard rescues two adrift boaters during tropical storm

Monday 5 August 2024 16:50 , Ariana Baio

The U.S. Coast Guard announced they successfully rescued two boaters who were adrift on Sunday in the middle of Tropical Storm Debby.

On Saturday, the two boaters headed out from Key West, Florida to sail to Tarpon Springs, Florida. But lost their sail while 73 miles off the coast.

A friend on land contacted the Coast Guard after the boaters missed their check-in.

“Some of the most important factors in any search and rescue case is accurate information and safety equipment,” said Lt Commander Christopher Hooper, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard District Seven.

“We received an updated satellite position from the boaters’ friend, which led to them being successfully located. This rescue was a collaborative effort between District Seven and Sector St. Petersburg while Tropical Storm Debby crossed the region.”

The boaters were rescued as low visibility and 50-knot winds pounded the area. Seas were approximately 15 to 20 feet.

No injuries were reported.

Debby downgraded to tropical storm

Monday 5 August 2024 16:19 , Ariana Baio

The National Hurricane Center downgraded Debby from hurricane to tropical storm status late Monday morning.

With maximum sustained winds of approximately 70 mph, Debby no longer qualifies as a hurricane. But that does not mean the storm’s strength should be taken any less seriously

Debby still brings threatening storm surges, flooding, surf swells and flash flooding to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

The National Hurricane Center said the storm would weaken further in the next 48 hours.

Georgia Governor deploys national guard

Monday 5 August 2024 15:52 , Ariana Baio

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued an executive order deploying the state’s national guard on Monday before Hurricane Debby hits the Peach State.

At least 2,000 guards will be utilized in preparation, response and recovery efforts.

Hurricane Debby, which is expected to downgrade to a tropical depression is a slow-moving storm bringing powerful winds and potentially historic rainfall to Georgia.

Nearly 300k customers without power in Florida

Monday 5 August 2024 15:30 , Ariana Baio

The onset of Hurricane Debby has led to nearly 300,000 customers without power, according to PowerOutage.us.

The power outage online tracker says that most of the customers affected live in Taylor, Madison and Jefferson Counties in Northern Florida. More than 34,000 people living in those areas do not have power.

Other counties like Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette and Dixie are also being harshly impacted.

Residents brace for another hurricane

Monday 5 August 2024 14:55 , James Liddell

Residents in Steinhatchee, Florida, which flooded during Hurricane Idalia, spent Sunday moving items to higher ground ahead of Hurricane Debby making landfall on Monday morning.

"I've been here 29 years. This isn't the first time I've done it. Do you get used to it? No," Mark Reblin, a resident told The Associated Press, as he moved items out of the liquor store he owns.

"Right now, we are trying secure everything from floating away," said Sheryl Horne, whose family owns the Shell Island Fish Camp along the Wakulla River in St Marks, Florida, where some customers moved their boats inland.

The Big Bend region was hit last year by Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane.

"I am used to storms and I'm used to cleaning up after storms," Ms Horne said.

Dixie County woman and boy, 12, die in car crash due to ‘inclement weather’

Monday 5 August 2024 14:35 , James Liddell

Two Dixie County residents died in a single-vehicle crash on Sunday night as storms swirled ahead of Hurricane Debby making landfall on Monday.

A woman, 38, and a boy, 12, both from Crawfordville were pronounced dead at the scene, according to a Florida Highway Patrol statement. A third boy, 14, was seriously injured and taken to UF Health.

The vehicle was said to have struck a guardrail, causing it to flip and lose control, police said. The specific location or identity of those involved have not been disclosed.

A witness told the Florida Highway Patrol that the car lost control “due to inclement weather and wet roadway,” the statement read.

“After losing control, the vehicle struck the guardrail in the center median, then redirected, overturning, leaving the roadway to the right,” it added.

The crash is currently under investigation. The Independent has reached out to Florida Highway Patrol for more details.

Climate change is fueling a stronger hurricane season

Monday 5 August 2024 14:20 , James Liddell

Debby, which made landfall on Monday morning, intensified into a Category 1 hurricane amid a hurricane season that experts warn could be catastrophic as the climate crisis fuels rising ocean temperatures.

A study from Colorado State University published earlier this year predicted 23 tropical storms and hurricanes this year, the highest number they’ve predicted in their 20 years of work. The team says hotter oceans are to blame.

It seems their prediction has already come true: this year’s season started off with Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 storm on record due to warmer-than-average ocean temperatures. The catastrophic storm killed several people and flattened entire islands in the Caribbean.

Louise Boyle has the story.

‘Extremely active’ Atlantic hurricane season forecast for 2024

Citrus County residents still recovering from Hurricane Idalia as Debby hits

Monday 5 August 2024 14:01 , James Liddell

Some residents in Citrus County are still finishing up on repairs and renovations after the devastating Hurricane Idalia in August last year as Hurricane Debby made landfall on Monday morning.

Idalia, a Category 3 hurricane, was the most powerful to hit the Big Bend for almost 75 years, causing $3.5bn worth of damage and taking the lives of up to 12 Floridians.

“We’re seeing a bit of a repeat of Hurricane Idalia. Thankfully, this one does not appear to be as strong,” Citrus County Commissioner Jeff Kinnard told CNN on Monday morning.

Kinnard says the county is better prepared to cope with the potential torrential conditions than it was a year ago.

“We’re prepared, the city’s prepared. And we’re just hoping for the best here,” he added.

Hurricane Debby finally made landfall in Steinhatchee in Taylor County – just 20 miles away from Hurricane Idalia’s landfall last year.

Watch: Tampa police chief urges residents to ‘turn around, don’t drown’

Monday 5 August 2024 13:34 , James Liddell

Mapped: Flash flood risk across next five days in Southeastern US

Monday 5 August 2024 13:17 , James Liddell

DeSantis urges Florida residents to avoid driving over risk of ‘traffic fatalities’

Monday 5 August 2024 12:57 , James Liddell

Gov. Ron DeSantis urged Florida residents in the Big Bend region to avoid driving as roads are likely to become increasingly flooded.

“When the water rises when, you have streets that could be flooded – that’s hazardous,” the Florida governor said during a live-streamed address on X on Monday.

“Please take the adequate precautions. Don’t try and drive through this. We don’t want to see traffic fatalities adding up because people went out there when the roads aren’t safe yet.”

He continued: “Please don’t tempt fate. Don’t try and go through these flooded streets.”

DeSantis’ warning comes after the National Hurricane Center warned of life-threatening storm surge and major flooding across the region as Hurricane Debby made landfall approximately 7.00 EDT in Steinhatchee on Monday.

Citrus County residents still recovering from Hurricane Idalia as Debby hits

Monday 5 August 2024 13:44 , James Liddell

Some residents in Citrus County are still finishing up on repairs and renovations after the devastating Hurricane Idalia in August last year as Hurricane Debby hits the region less than a year later.

Idalia, a Category 3 hurricane, was the most powerful to hit the Big Bend for almost 75 years, causing $3.5bn worth of damage and taking the lives of up to 12 Floridians.

“We’re seeing a bit of a repeat of Hurricane Idalia. Thankfully, this one does not appear to be as strong,” Citrus County Commissioner Jeff Kinnard told CNN on Monday morning.

Kinnard said hopes the county is in a better position to cope with the torrential conditions than a year ago.

“We’re prepared, the city’s prepared. And we’re just hoping for the best here,” he added.

Hurricane Debby finally made landfall near Steinhatchee on Monday –  just 20 miles away from Hurricane Idalia’s landfall last year.

Watch live: Ron DeSantis makes public address as Hurricane Debby poses ‘threat to life'

Monday 5 August 2024 12:43 , James Liddell

‘Catastrophic flooding’ expected as Hurricane Debby makes landfall

Monday 5 August 2024 12:31 , James Liddell

Hurricane Debby has finally made landfall in the Big Bend on Monday morning.

The storm came ashore near the coastal town of Steinhatchee in Taylor County, Florida, at approximately 7.00am EDT, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The NHC has warned of major flooding and “life-threatening” storm surge as bands of rain sweep across the region.

The storm is predicted to move slowly across the Sunshine State with as much as 20 inches of rain expected to cause flooding as Debby shifts north.

“You’re talking about catastrophic flooding,” Jamie Rhome, the deputy director of the Hurricane Center, told the BBC.

More than 200,000 homes and businesses have been left without power at the time the storm made landfall.

Georgia and South Carolina are expected to be hit by the torrential conditions in coming days.

The landfall is within 20 miles of Hurricane Idalia’s landfall in August last year, which came ashore in the Big Bend of Florida as a Category 3 hurricane with 125 mph winds.

Hurricane Debby makes landfall in Florida

Monday 5 August 2024 12:18 , Rachel Sharp

Hurricane Debby has made landfall in Florida, with the Category 1 storm bringing risks of life-threatening storm surge and major flooding to the Big Bend region.

The National Hurricane Center announced at around 7am ET on Monday that Debby had made landfall near Steinhatchee with winds of 80 mph.

Hundreds of flights grounded across Florida as storm causes significant travel delays

Monday 5 August 2024 12:09 , James Liddell

Hundreds of flights either arriving to or departing from Florida were grounded on Monday as Hurricane Debby is expected to make landfall imminently.

Data from FlightAware shows almost 90 cancelled flights at Orlando International Airport, more than 60 cancellations at Tampa International Airport and over 50 flights cancelled at Charleston international Airport.

Additionally, 186 flights were cancelled at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon. Almost 250 landings and takeoffs were delayed, FlightAware’s data shows.