Weather

Tropical Storm Debby to dump heavy rain on Myrtle Beach area. What forecast shows

The predicted rainfall map for Tropical Storm Debby. Rain could start on Aug. 4 and is expected to be the most intense on Aug. 6 and 7.
The predicted rainfall map for Tropical Storm Debby. Rain could start on Aug. 4 and is expected to be the most intense on Aug. 6 and 7.

Tropical Storm Debby will likely impact the Myrtle Beach area this week, bringing flooding and 8 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service Aug. 4 briefing.

The storm is expected to turn into a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall in Florida, the National Weather Service said. Debby is then predicted to move inland across Florida and Georgia before making its way into the Carolinas. It could stay inland or move into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Myrtle Beach area could see the first signs of Debby beginning Sunday with some rain. It will increase in intensity, with the worst part of the storm expected to hit Tuesday and Wednesday.

“Much uncertainty exists with the track after Debby crosses Florida given that the storm will be in an area of very weak steering,” the Aug. 4 briefing stated.

Horry County could get eight to 12 inches of rain, which would happen over several days, the National Weather Service said. This could result in life-threatening flash flooding.

There’s a threat of extreme flooding rain in southern Horry County and major flooding in the rest. There could be flash flooding, urban flooding and the Waccamaw River may be impacted.

South Carolina could see rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby beginning on Sunday and worsening through the week. Here is the expected flooding map as of 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 4.
South Carolina could see rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby beginning on Sunday and worsening through the week. Here is the expected flooding map as of 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 4. National Weather Service in Wilmington

The ocean will become dangerous starting Sunday, with rough surf, dangerous rip currents and hazardous marine activity. There’s also a chance of tornadoes forming in coastal areas.

It is too early to tell what parts of the Myrtle Beach area could face the most flooding and storm damage. Debby should also hit Charleston and Hilton Head, as well as parts of inland South Carolina. Charleston is in an extreme flooding zone, expecting 16 to 20 inches of rain. Hilton Head could potentially seeing 20 to 30 inches of rain.

Emalyn Muzzy
The Sun News
Emalyn Muzzy is the retail and leisure reporter for The Sun News. She started as a breaking news reporter in Myrtle Beach before switching to the business beat. She graduated from the University of Minnesota is 2022 with a degree in journalism and Spanish.
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