Short diary about Tropical Storm Debby, as well as relaying information from the National Weather Service about incredible flooding as a result of Tropical Storm Debby.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE HAS EXTENDED THE
* FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR...
NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY IN FLORIDA...
SOUTHEASTERN LIBERTY COUNTY IN FLORIDA...
WAKULLA COUNTY IN FLORIDA...
* UNTIL 515 AM EDT TUESDAY
* AT 1101 PM EDT...EXTREME FLASH FLOODING CONTINUES ACROSS WAKULLA
COUNTY...PARTICULARLY ALONG THE SOPCHOPPY RIVER INCLUDING THE TOWN
OF SOPCHOPPY. WATER HAS ALREADY ENTERED HOMES IN SOPCHOPPY AND THE
SOPCHOPPY RIVER IS EXPECTED TO CREST FAR ABOVE ITS PREVIOUS RECORD
CREST. SIGNIFICANT FLASH FLOODING IS ALSO LIKELY OCCURRING ACROSS
RURAL PORTIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN LIBERTY AND NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN
COUNTIES.
THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION AND MANY AREAS THAT HAVE NOT
FLOODED IN RECENT MEMORY WILL FLOOD TONIGHT.
* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SAINT MARKS
AND CRAWFORDVILLE
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE
DANGERS OF FLOODING. IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED ACT QUICKLY. MOVE
UP TO HIGHER GROUND TO ESCAPE FLOOD WATERS. DO NOT STAY IN AREAS
SUBJECT TO FLOODING WHEN WATER BEGINS RISING.
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF FLOOD WATERS. ONLY A FEW INCHES OF
RAPIDLY FLOWING WATER CAN QUICKLY CARRY AWAY YOUR VEHICLE.
Radar rainfall estimates showing 15+ inches of rain over the Florida Panhandle.
Wakulla County and surrounding areas have already received well over 15 inches of rain over the last few days from the very slow moving Tropical Storm Debby, and the rain will keep on falling as the storm makes a very slow track towards the east across the state.
Here's the 11PM EDT forecast track for Debby, taking it slowly across Florida this week until it reemerges in the Atlantic this weekend and regains Tropical Storm status.
The rain and tornadoes will continue to be the main threat in Debby for the duration of the event this week. As of 11PM EDT, sustained winds in Debby were 45 MPH, which could still be problematic given the wet soil, as it could allow trees to fall more easily than they would under normal conditions.
Here's the total accumulated rainfall forecast from the HPC for the next 5 days. Note the 17 inch rainfall bullseye in north-central Florida. More rain that that could easily fall if a heavy band sets up and trains (repeatedly forms and moves) over the same area.
The tornadoes will remain a threat across Florida over the next few days. Tornadoes in tropical systems tend to develop and dissipate rapidly, often with little to no warning. Be prepared to take immediate action to protect yourself from this threat.
If you live in a flood prone area, be prepare to evacuate with little to no notice. Don't swim in flood waters as A) even very shallow water moving at a good clip could overpower you, and B) the water holds toxins and venomous bugs/animals that could make you very sick. Driving through flooded roads is just stupid and could get you and/or others killed, so don't do it.
Stay tuned to the NHC and NWS for updates on this system. I'll post another update tomorrow afternoon, and more as needed.
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