Excessive Rain, Flooding, Wind Gusts Possible: Tropical Storm Debby Heads To VA

Updated at 5:20 p.m. Thursday

VIRGINIA — Tropical Storm Debby is expected to cross the Virginia-North Carolina border around 8 p.m. on Thursday, bringing heavy rainfall, high winds and the potential for flooding to the Commonwealth, according to the National Hurricane Center.

A flood watch went into effect Thursday afternoon until 8 p.m. Friday for much of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Areas included are: Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William counties, plus Manassas and Manassas Park.

Cities in the watch area include: Chantilly, Herndon, Annandale, Leesburg, Dale City, Lake Ridge, Ashburn, Falls Church, Woodbridge, Sterling, Haymarket, Franconia, Centreville, McLean, and Reston.

"The remnants of Debby will move northward through the area, leading to heavy rainfall Thursday evening into Friday," the National Weather Service said. "Widespread 2 to 4 inches of additional rainfall is expected within the watch area, with localized storm totals up to 6
inches."

Alexandria distributed sandbags as residents brace for flooding, and the governor declared a state of emergency to help public agencies gear up for a possible disaster response.

As the tropical storm continues its inland path toward New England, the NHC says that it will likely pass through the greater Baltimore-Washington area around 2 a.m. on Friday.

Virginia has at least a 5 percent chance of receiving high winds of 39 mph and above, starting Friday around 2 a.m. in the Hampton Roads area and 8 a.m. in Northern Virginia and DC, according to the NHC forecast.

Portions of the Mid-Atlantic states and the Northeast can expect heavy rainfall through Saturday, which could produce flooding across Virginia.

"Tropical Storm Debby is likely to weaken as it moves from the South Carolina coast and into the Carolina Piedmont tonight, before weakening into a Tropical Depression sometime on Friday, while it moves up into the Central Appalachians of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania," according to the National Weather Service.

Related:

• ‘Highly Active’ Atlantic Hurricane Season Expected As Peak Looms: NOAA
• VA State Of Emergency Declared As Tropical Storm Debby Approaches
• TS Debby Aims For VA: How To Prepare For Rains, Flooding
• Tropical Storm Debby Remnants To Prompt Sandbag Distribution

At least seven people have died due to the storm, five of them in traffic accidents or from fallen trees. The sixth death involved a 48-year-old man in Gulfport, whose body was recovered after his anchored sailboat partially sank. And the most recent victim died in a tornado spawned by the storm in North Carolina Thursday.

While most of the heavy rain — up to 15 inches in some areas — will occur across the Carolinas, the weather service predicts that the Piedmont and up through the Blue Ridge/Appalachians of Virginia will be at high risk of excessive rainfall, about a 70 percent chance.

"There's a moderate risk (at least 40 percent) of excessive rainfall over portions of north-central Virginia up through central Pennsylvania/New York for Friday as Debby moves up the spine of the Appalachians," the NWS said. "Rain, wind and thunderstorms should come to an end on Saturday when Debby gets swept up into a powerful upper low propagating across southern Canada."

Northern Virginia and Washington, DC can expect showers throughout the day on Thursday with the possibility of thunderstorms, according to NWS.

With an 80 percent chance of precipitation, the weather service says new rainfall may accumulate between a quarter and a half of an inch on Thursday. The high temperature will be near 80 degrees. An east wind of around 13 mph may have gusts up to 20 mph.

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 80. East wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

State Of Emergency Declared In Virginia

On Thursday morning, Virginia was still under the state of emergency that Gov. Glenn Young declared on Tuesday.

“As we prepare for Tropical Storm Debby, I urge all Virginians and visitors to stay informed, follow local emergency guidelines, and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their families and communities. There is the potential for strong winds, heavy rains, and possible flooding across regions of the Commonwealth,” Youngkin said.

This allowed state agencies, such as the Emergency Support Team and the Virginia Department of Transportation, to muster their resources in anticipation of the storm's arrival.

VDOT crews were placed on standby, ready to respond to road hazards and any damage resulting from the storm. Crews have been inspecting and clearing drainage facilities where needed and preparing their debris and tree removal crews for swift deployment.

Travelers should use extreme caution on roadways, according to VDOT:

• Obey all “road closed” signage.
• “Turn around, don’t drown” - Do not attempt to travel through flooded roadways. Be alert to debris, downed trees and power lines.
• Be alert to High Wind Advisories, especially on bridges or taller structures. High-profile vehicles such as tractor trailers, SUVs or box trucks are especially vulnerable and should not cross a bridge when a High Wind Advisory is posted.
• The governor's office issued the following recommendations on how Virginians can weather Tropical Storm Debby.
• Make a plan. Plan in advance a route to a safe place, how you will stay in contact with family and friends, and what you will do in different situations. Additional planning resources are available at vaemergency.gov/prepare/make-a-plan.
• Prepare an emergency kit. For a list of recommended emergency supplies to sustain your household before, during, and after the storm's visit: VAemergency.gov/emergency-kit.

For more information about preparing your business, your family, and your property against hurricane threats visit: VAemergency.gov/hurricanes and ready.gov/hurricanes.

Here is the National Weather Service's seven-day forecast for the greater Baltimore-Washington region:

• Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11pm. Low around 75. East wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
• Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 83. Southeast wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
• Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 9 to 11 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Northwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
• Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
• Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
• Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
• Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.