Mayor William Cogswell has issued a State of Emergency for the City of Charleston in anticipation of the potential impacts from Tropical Storm Debby. The declaration activates the city’s Municipal Emergency Operations Center and mobilizes city resources to prepare for the storm's arrival.
City Council passed three emergency ordinances to give the mayor the authority to instate a curfew, close down roads due to flooding, and potentially close off the peninsula if impacts are extremely severe.
“We are taking every necessary precaution to ensure the safety of our residents," said Mayor William Cogswell. "City staff has been working around the clock for days to make certain we are properly equipped for the days ahead. We will continue to share pertinent information as it becomes available. The major point we want to emphasize is that residents will see flooding in areas that typically do not flood, so extra care should be taken to help keep our first responders out of harms way.”
According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Debby is anticipated to deliver 10-20 inches of rainfall over the region. Localized areas could see up to 30 inches of rainfall. Heavy, flooding rain will start in Charleston on Monday, but the heaviest rain is expected to fall on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The storm's primary concern is its potential to stall over Charleston, leading to extended periods of heavy rainfall and severe flooding.
Residents are urged to stay informed through local media and follow the City of Charleston's official channels for the latest updates on the storm and its impact:
City officials will continue to provide regular updates from the National Weather Service regarding the storm’s progression and local impacts.
