Press Release:
Good Afternoon Everyone,
Recent weather updates continue to include minor track and timeline adjustments to Debby's path along the eastern US, as well as an increase in forecasted rain fall and expected winds for our area. Forecast models continue to vary on the track Debby will take after re-entering the Atlantic. However, these variations continue to have little impact to the forecasted conditions for our area as of now. Below is a summary of what we know and what we are still watching.
What We Know
Debby is expected to cross the northern part of Florida / southern Georgia over the next 24 hrs before re-entering the Atlantic near Savannah around noon tomorrow. Debby is expected to remain somewhat stationary just offshore, between the Georgia / Florida line and Charleston SC through early to mid-day Wednesday, where it is expected to grow in size and strength.
What We are Still Watching
Debby's movement after re-entering the Atlantic is where we continue to see differences between the various forecast models. The official track from the National Hurricane Center (which closely mirrors the Euro) continues to show a more coastal path, with Debby re-entering the Atlantic near Savannah Tuesday afternoon and slowly travelling northeast along the SC coast Wednesday before making landfall near Myrtle Beach mid-morning on Thursday. Debby is expected to travel northwest toward Lumberton through 8am Friday, before turning Northeast, travelling along the I-95 corridor through the day Friday.
Other models, to include the GFS continue to suggest that Debbie will begin a westward track early Thursday morning traveling across the interior portions of Georgia and possibly into Alabama by sunrise Friday.
Forecasted Impacts For Beaufort County
Again, regardless of the disparities between these models, the impacts from Debby will be felt well beyond its centerline track. Debby is still forecasted to bring several days of impacts to our area as summarized below.
Rain
- 6 to 8 inches of rain is currently forecasted for Beaufort County over the next 10 days, most of which will occur between Wednesday and Saturday. However, these rainfall totals will be track specific, and subject to change over the coming days. (Remember, these totals are based on a slow northeast offshore track along the Georgia and South Carolina coast between Tuesday and Thursday.)
Winds
- Debby is not currently forecasted to be a significant wind event for our area. The most recent forecast models suggest that sustained winds ranging between of 15 to 35 mph with gusts up to 35 to 45 are possible during the day Saturday.
Storm Surge
- It will most likely be Tuesday before we have any forecast information related to storm surge.
Links to various forecast graphics and key messages from the National Hurricane Center can be found using the following link.
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/094934.shtml?cone#contents
Please see the email below and attached briefing from the National Weather Service for more information. We will continue to pass along updates as they are received.
As always, thank you all for what you do to keep Beaufort County informed, prepared, and safe.
Chris Newkirk
Deputy Director
Beaufort County Emergency Services
1420 Highland Dr
Washington, NC 27889
Office: (252)940-6511
Cell: (252) 378-5352
Good morning,
Please see the latest briefing on Hurricane Debby. There is little change in the threat assessment for Eastern NC at this time. Debby is forecast to move slowly across northern Florida and into southern Georgia today into tonight, and then move very slowly across or just offshore of the Southeastern U.S. through the rest of this week.
There remains considerable uncertainty in the track and impacts beyond today due to weak steering currents in the upper atmosphere. The greatest impact across Eastern NC at this time remains heavy rainfall bringing the threat of flash flooding. Dangerous rip currents will also be a threat throughout the week into this weekend due to onshore winds and increasing swell energy. River flooding may become a threat late in the week and into next week after several days of rainfall.
Remember you can get the latest information from our local tropical page: https://www.weather.gov/mhx/tropical or the National Hurricane Center.
NWS_Morehead_City_Hurricane_Debby_August_5th_2024_8_AM_Update.pdf
Regards,
NWS Newport/Morehead City
NOAA - National Weather Service
Newport/Morehead City, NC Weather Forecast Office
533 Roberts Rd
Newport, NC 28570
