PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Tropical Storm Debby slammed Florida Monday with torrential rain and high winds, contributing to at least four deaths as it turned menacingly toward the Eastern Seaboard’s low-lying regions and threatened to flood some of America’s most historic Southern cities.
Record-setting rain was expected to cause flash flooding, with up to 30 inches possible in some areas, the National Hurricane Center said. The potential for high water threatened Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. Up to 18 inches was forecast in central and north Florida.
And she could bring some substantial rain to the Philadelphia Metro area by the end of the week.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency wants to make sure residents are prepared, as this could be the most aggressive hurricane season on record, with historically high sea surface temperatures.
The agency recommends keeping gutters, drains and downspouts clear of debris, and knowing your evacuation route. They also advise gathering things like water, nonperishable food, medication and pet supplies.
They also say to make sure you have flood insurance, even if you rent.
According to FEMA, just one inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage to your home.
For weather updates, FEMA recommends downloading the FEMA mobile app and signing up for community alerts.