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By Rachel Baldauf
Tropical Storm Debby is bringing heavy rain to southeastern North Carolina as forecasters warn about possible flooding.
The slow-moving storm was off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday evening and will likely make landfall along the South Carolina coast late Wednesday or early Thursday, the National Weather Service says. The storm is then expected to continue north.
Here’s the latest as of Wednesday evening.
Heavy rain, flooding
Between two and five inches of rain fell in parts of southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. The region could see an additional four to nine inches of rain Wednesday and Thursday. That’s less than what forecasters had predicted earlier this week.
Lumberton could see three to four inches of rain overnight, and Whiteville could see two to three inches.
“The very slow progression of the storm could result in considerable amounts of rainfall across northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina, which would result in life-threatening flash flooding, including moderate to major river flooding,” the National Weather Service said Wednesday.
Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties are under a flood watch Wednesday evening, and flood warnings were issued for the Cape Fear River, the Lumber River and the Waccamaw River.
Tropical storm warning
A tropical storm warning was issued for Columbus County on Wednesday evening. Forecasters predicted wind speeds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts up to 55 mph. A tornado watch was also issued in Columbus County Wednesday evening.
State of emergency
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency on Monday ahead of the storm.
“This weather has the potential to bring intense rain and flooding to North Carolina and we are preparing for it,” Cooper said in a news release. “As the weather becomes more severe, I urge everyone to take precautions and stay safe.”
President Joe Biden approved a request from Cooper for a federal disaster declaration Tuesday night which will direct federal funds to the state.
More than 350 soldiers and airmen from the North Carolina National Guard have been deployed throughout the state as well as swift water rescue teams, Cooper said in a press release Wednesday morning.
“A slow-moving tropical storm can sometimes be even more deadly than a quick-moving hurricane,” Cooper said. “That means even without the constant high winds, we must be on high alert.”
Shelters
Columbus County will open four shelters at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the following locations:
- Edgewood Elementary School: 317 E Calhoun St., Whiteville
- West Columbus High School: 7294 Andrew Jackson Hwy. SW, Cerro Gordo
- South Columbus High School: 40 Stallion Drive, Tabor City
- East Columbus Jr./Sr. High School: 32 Gator Lane, Lake Waccamaw
Bladen County will open three shelters at 6 p.m. Wednesday:
- West Bladen High School: 1600 N.C. 410, Bladenboro
- East Arcadia Primary School: 21451 N.C. Hwy, East Arcardia
- Centerville Baptist Church: 18577 N.C. 53, Kelly
Buses provided by the Public Schools of Robeson County have been stationed at a sheriff’s office substation and other locations throughout Robeson County in the case of evacuations, Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said in a statement on Facebook.
To keep with the latest forecasts and storm updates, go to www.weather.gov/ilm.
