Tropical Storm Debby will bring multiple rainy days and flooding potential to Virginia
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Expected rainfall totals from Tropical Storm Debby. Photo: National Hurricane Center
Tropical Storm Debby's remnants could drench the Richmond area for multiple days this week, potentially starting as early as Wednesday.
The big picture: The exact track of the storm remains uncertain, but heavy rainfall and flooding are the primary threats facing us, according to the National Weather Service's Wakefield office in Virginia on Monday.
- There's also now a slight risk of tornadoes for central and eastern Virginia starting Thursday afternoon, per an NWS briefing Wednesday morning.
- For anyone planning a Virginia Beach weekend trip, you might want to reconsider.
- The coast could have 7-to-10 foot waves and Virginia Beach is forecasted to have dangerous rip currents. You can check surf conditions here, just in case.
Zoom in: Flash flooding is possible starting Wednesday night and into Friday, especially in cities like Richmond.
- That's prompted a flood watch — in effect through Friday night — for the Richmond area and Hampton Roads.
- NWS Wakefield meteorologist Eric Seymour tells Axios residents might see 5-7 inches of rain from Wednesday through Saturday, likely due to Debby moving slowly.
- People on the coast could face 30-40 mph gusts on Thursday and Friday nights. The Richmond area could have up to 28 mph winds on Friday.
Threat level: On Saturday, the tropical storm could turn into a tropical depression and be closest to Richmond at 11am, per Axios' storm tracker.
- While that's slightly weaker than a tropical storm, the NWS says it can sustain winds of up to 38 miles per hour.
- In a Monday afternoon post on X, Gov. Youngkin urged Virginians to "be prepared for incoming weather and exercise caution."
- On Tuesday, Youngkin declared a state of emergency ahead of Debby's arrival. This activates the state's price gouging protections.
Between the lines: The NWS' Wakefield office, which covers Richmond, Virginia's coast and parts of North Carolina, also warns not to focus on only the track since the storm can impact areas far from its center.
If you're driving: AAA is warning people not to drive through flooded roads, no matter how shallow the water might seem.
- Drivers can lose control in as little as six inches and the water can be hiding downed power lines, potholes or a washed-out roadway, per AAA.
- To reduce the chances of hydroplaning: slow down and avoid braking hard or turning quickly.
- If the storm worsens while on the highway, take the nearest exit instead of stopping on the side of the road.
Catch up quick: Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane early Monday in Florida's Big Bend before downgrading to a tropical storm around 11am, Axios' Andrew Freedman reports.
- But it's still exceedingly dangerous due to flooding from historic rainfall, which the NWS has described as "potentially catastrophic."
- The storm could tie or break state records for rainfall from a single storm in Georgia and South Carolina.
What we're watching: How severe the storm will be once it gets to Virginia depends on whether it gets stronger once it's over the Atlantic Ocean.
Go deeper: Read Axios New Orleans' guide to making a prep kit for hurricane season.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with more forecast details. Please check back for additional information.