Blitz Bureau
Tropical Storm Debby slammed Florida on August 6 with torrential rain and high winds, contributing to at least four deaths in the state and the rescue of hundreds from flooded homes before turning menacingly toward the Eastern Seaboard’s low-lying regions and threatening to flood some of America’s most historic Southern cities. Record-setting rain was causing flash flooding, with up to 30 inches (76 centimetres) possible in some areas, the National Hurricane Center said.
About 500 people were rescued from flooded homes in Sarasota, Florida, a beach city popular with tourists, the Sarasota Police Department said in a social media post. It was one of the cities hardest hit by flooding. “Essentially we’ve had twice the amount of the rain that was predicted for us to have,” Sarasota County Fire Chief David Rathbun said in a social media update. Just north of Sarasota, officials in Manatee County said in a news release that 186 people were rescued from flood waters.
“We are facing an unprecedented weather event with Hurricane Debby,” said Jodie Fiske, public safety director for Manatee County. “The safety of our residents is our top priority, and we are doing everything in our power to respond effectively to this crisis. Hurricane Debby reached the Big Bend of Florida, bringing with it the potential for catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge. A flash flood emergency was issued August 6 evening for the Lake City area in the north central part of the state, where up to a foot (30.5 centimetres) of rain had fallen and more was expected.
