UPDATE: One dead, thousands without power as Tropical Storm Debby impacts South Georgia

Tuesday, Aug.6, Noon

Slow-moving Tropical Storm Debby is creeping along the South Carolina coast after bringing torrential rain, flooding, power outages, and at least one death (see previous update) in South Georgia.

Georgia Power said in a noon update that  the company had restored more than 100,000 customers and is working on restoring approximately 11,000 customers currently impacted by the storm.

Georgia Department of Transportation crews worked overnight and continue to respond to incidents of downed trees, flooding, and blocked roads, according to a GDOT press release.

Georgia DOT crews continue to ride routes throughout the affected areas checking for road and bridge conditions and clearing or closing routes as necessary, the release said. Consult 511GA for the most up-to-date road conditions if you have to travel to South or Coastal Georgia.

7 p.m.

A 19-year-old was killed after a tree fell through a home in Moultrie, GA – the first known death caused by TS Debby in Georgia, according to WALB .

2:45 p.m.

WALB in Albany reports that more than 80,000 are already without power across South Georgia as heavy wind and rain from TS Debby batter the region.

2 p.m.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson issued a curfew for the city starting tonight at 10 p.m. and continuing until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, according to a report from Connect Savannah .

Vice-President Kamala Harris has also postponed her campaign rally in Savannah set for Friday due to the storm.

The National Hurricane Center said Debby had been downgraded to a tropical storm as it brings flooding rain to northern Florida and southern Georgia. A storm surge warning is in effect for the Georgia and South Carolina coasts from the mouth of the St. Mary’s River to the South Santee River.

Monday, Aug. 5 , 8 a.m.

Hurricane Debby made landfall near Steinhatchee on Florida’s Gulf Coast just before 7 a.m this morning. The Category 1 storm was packing 80 mph winds, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

CNN reports that flooding is already occuring in parts of Florida as the storm heads toward South Georgia.

NWS is warning of potentially historic flooding in the path of Debby over the next few days.

Sunday, Aug. 4

The Weather Channel reports that Tropical Storm Debby could bring historically heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and tornadoes from Florida’s Big Bend to South Central and Southeast Georgia and coastal Georgia and South Carolina.

On Saturday, Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency for all 159 Georgia counties in anticipation of the storm. In metro Atlanta, scattered thunderstorms are expected as the outer bands of Debby reach into North Georgia.

Georgia Department of Transportation teams statewide have equipment loaded and crews are on alert, including immediate-response strike teams ready to respond to the historic rainfall event and expected flooding. Motorists can expect detours and road closures as the department responds to the anticipated impacts of the storm.

Georgia Power said on social media that it was also preparing for the storm by moving teams into strategic areas to immediately respond to outages.

The National Hurricane Center forecasts rainfall totals in Southeast Georgia, particularly within 50 miles of Savannah, could be as much as 20 inches which is highly unusual for the area. Additionally, there exists a high probability of strong winds and flash, urban, and river flooding.

For real-time road conditions, call 511 or visit www.511ga.org . For weather information, visit the National Weather Service .

The post UPDATE: One dead, thousands without power as Tropical Storm Debby impacts South Georgia appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta .