After devastating the southeastern U.S., the remnants of Hurricane Debby surged through the Mid-Atlantic on Friday, unleashing widespread flooding across the Northeast. Now a post-tropical cyclone, Debby has fueled dangerous conditions as it moves through Upstate New York, expected to drop up to six inches of rain, and continues to drench northern New England and the coastal Carolinas.
In response to the severe weather, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the entire state, warning residents to stay safe and avoid travel. Earlier, the National Weather Service issued flash flood emergencies for several areas near the New York-Pennsylvania border, where life-threatening floods inundated neighborhoods, cutting off access to roads and homes. Particularly hard-hit were New York’s Steuben and Allegany counties, where rainfall reached up to 4.5 inches by Friday afternoon. Water rescues were also initiated in Greene County, Virginia, and Westfield, Pennsylvania, as communities faced rising waters.
The impacts of Debby extended beyond the Northeast, with ongoing rescue operations in South Carolina due to overflowing rivers and streams. In Savannah, Georgia, the Ogeechee River’s swelling forced road closures, while Washington, D.C., saw metro delays and temporary flight groundings due to flooding. Airports in New York also experienced significant delays, with some flights grounded and travelers facing over an hour’s wait.
Debby’s destructive path began on Monday, making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region. The storm has since caused widespread flooding, spawned tornadoes, and resulted in at least eight deaths across North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. As Debby continues its course, authorities remain on high alert, bracing for further impacts.