Northeast Braces For Flash Floods, Tornadoes; New Tropical Threat Could Eye Florida

After wreaking havoc with flooding, storm surge, wind impacts, and tornadoes across the eastern U.S., Tropical Rainstorm Debby is now threatening the Northeast with flash flooding and tornadoes through early Saturday morning.

AccuWeather meteorologists have issued a preliminary estimate of $28 billion in total damage and economic loss caused by Debby in the U.S. The primary concern now lies in the Northeast, where intense rainfall combined with recent wet weather is expected to trigger widespread flash flooding. Meteorologists warn of a potential 4-8 inches of rain, with rates of 1-3 inches per hour, particularly in mountainous terrain and valleys.

Read: Florida Red Tide Update: No Red Tide Detected, Respiratory Irritation Absent

In addition to flooding, there’s also a risk of residual flooding in the Southeast and reduced water quality at some beaches due to storm runoff.

Debby’s leftover spiral bands are also capable of producing torrential rainfall, strong wind gusts, and even tornadoes. While this heavy rainfall will alleviate drought conditions in some areas, it also poses a significant flood risk due to overwhelmed topsoil and runoff.

Experts attribute the increasing risk of flooding threats partly to climate change, as a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to more extreme rainfall rates during tropical storms and hurricanes.

Meanwhile, AccuWeather meteorologists are closely monitoring a tropical wave in the Atlantic with a high potential for development early next week. This could become the next named storm or even a hurricane, prompting a call for vigilance for Florida and the entire East Coast.

The active tropical pattern aligns with AccuWeather’s earlier prediction of an “explosive” hurricane season. With expectations of 20-25 named storms and four to six direct U.S. impacts, experts warn of the increased risk of rapid intensification near coastal cities due to high water temperatures and favorable weather patterns.

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