Mark Robertson

Mark Robertson

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6AM Update on Hurricane Debby

Chatham County offices and courts will be open as usual on Monday, August 5, 2024. However, on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, all County offices, courts, and facilities will be closed due to the effects of Tropical Storm Debby.

The following impacts to City services will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 6:

  • All non-emergency essential City government offices will be closed.
  • In-person payments at the Coastal Georgia Center for utility, tax, license, and other fees will be closed.
  • Street cleaning night services will be suspended.
  • The Dean Forest Landfill and Bacon Park Convenience Center will be closed.
  • Sanitation routes will shift to a modified schedule on Wednesday.
  • Recorder’s Court will be closed.
  • In-person services with the Office of Special Events, Film, and Tourism will be suspended.
  • Building closures, including all services within, will include City Hall, Civic Center, Community Centers, Cultural Arts Center, Floyd Adams City Services Complex, Savannah Municipal Services Annex and the Savannah Entrepreneurial Center.

We have posted all the school closings on our Facebook page and website. Beaufort County school district will monitor the storm and today announce whether schools will indeed start the new year on Wednesday

Ahead of the storm, here is important information and reminders:

  • You are encouraged to secure outdoor items such as trash cans, patio furniture, hanging planters, and any other items that may become airborne. Also, please ensure all drains near your home are free of debris.
  • Please keep in mind when preparing your animals ahead of the storm, that it’s against the law to abandon or tether an animal during a named storm.
  • The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is the agency to determine if bridges will close, not the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Currently, all bridges remain open.
  • In the event you lose power because of forecasted inclement weather, you can report that information to your power company. Both Palmetto Electric and Dominion Energy coustomers should have the number to call to report outages and downed powerlines…you can also download their apps for convenience.

Due to the potential for severe weather associated with Tropical Storm Debby, all clinics and offices of the Coastal Health District will close at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, and we expect to re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8. This includes all health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh Counties. Updates to these closures will be reported promptly.

The Coastal Health District urges residents to be prepared as Tropical Storm Debby approaches. They should:

  • Have a three-day supply of non-perishable foods.
  • Have one gallon of water per person per day.
  • Have a three-day supply of prescription medications.
  • Turn the refrigerator to the coldest setting.
  • Secure homes by covering doors and windows.
  • Charge phones and electronics.

Savannah Chatham County Public School System

Due to the expected impacts of Tropical Storm Debby on our area this week, Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools will operate on a half-day schedule tomorrow, Monday, August 5th, with dismissal times as follows:

Early Dismissal Times

11:30 am –  High Schools(except Building Bridges), Mercer MS, Godley K-8/Wings ES/Building Bridges MS, Learning Academy @ Jenkins

11:40 am – Middle Schools(except Mercer) and Building Bridges HS, Wings

12:15 pm – Ellis, Garrison, IOH, Georgetown, Hesse, New Hampstead K-8, Learning Academy @ IOH, Pulaski K8, Bloomingdale

1:15 pm – Elementary Schools, Rice Creek

All SCCPSS schools will be closed on Tuesday, August 6th and Wednesday, August 7th as this storm moves through. Students will not report to school on Tuesday, August 6th or Wednesday, August 7th and there will be no required remote learning during this time.

Liberty County School District

The Liberty County School System (LCSS) announced today that it will delay the first day of school until Thursday, August 8, 2024, due to the impending threat of Tropical Storm Debby. All Liberty County School System twelve-month employees and critical workers should report to work on Monday, August 5, 2024. 

Updates will be provided through the school system’s website and social media channels. Thank you for your support of the Liberty County School System. Excellence in Everything!

For more information, contact Genese L. Baker, Public Relations Director, at (912) 876-4658 or gbaker@liberty.k12.ga.us

Benedictine Military School

Monday, 8/5, will be a 1/2 day. BC’s campus will be closed as of 3 p.m. At this moment, we anticipate being in asynchronous learning through Wednesday, 8/7 (likely through Thursday to include a facilities review post-Debby). At this point, we plan to return in person Friday, 8/9.

Bryan County Schools has decided to close schools on Monday, August 5, 2024.

We acknowledge that weather predictions can be challenging, and the storm’s path and impact might change.

Nevertheless, we do not want to put any student, staff, or parent in danger and believe that closing the district tomorrow is in everyone’s best interest.

All sporting events and afterschool activities will also be canceled for Monday. Bryan County Schools will actively monitor this storm and make a determination about returning to school on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 by 1 p.m. on Monday.

Memorial Day School and Memorial Day School Childcare Center

Closed Monday, August 5th, Tuesday, August 6th, and Wednesday, August 7th. 

Our first day of school will be Thursday, August 8th. 

Savannah Technical College

Due to the expected impacts of Tropical Storm Debby, STC classes will be canceled, and campuses will close at 3 p.m. on Monday, August 5 and will remain canceled/closed on Tuesday, August 6. 

SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY:

SSU announced that all general campus operations will be suspended Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday is set to be a planned telework day. They say that emergency personal should follow guidance from their respective area leaders.

Ogeechee Technical College

Campuses will be open and operate normally Monday, August 5, but all campuses will be closed Tuesday, August 6.

THE BEAUFORT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE has issued a TROPICAL STORM WARNING for Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, and Bluffton. Tropical Storm force winds are possible within 36 hours. Peak winds expected around 25-35mph with gusts to 45mph. But there is a chance of winds of 58 to 73 mph.

The potential for storm surge 2-4 feet above ground in prone areas, but surge greater than 3 feet above ground is possible.

Flooding rains of 18-24 inches are possible.

...DEBBY VERY NEAR LANDFALL IN THE FLORIDA BIG BEND...

...EXPECTED TO BRING LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE IN PORTIONS OF

FLORIDA AND MAJOR FLOODING IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES...

SUMMARY OF 500 AM EDT...0900 UTC...INFORMATION

----------------------------------------------

LOCATION...29.5N 83.7W

ABOUT 45 MI...75 KM NW OF CEDAR KEY FLORIDA

ABOUT 70 MI...115 KM SSE OF TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...80 MPH...130 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 15 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...979 MB...28.91 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

--------------------

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

None

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...

* Florida coast from the middle of Longboat Key northward to Indian

Pass including Tampa Bay

* Georgia and South Carolina coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary's

River to South Santee River South Carolina

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...

* Florida coast from Englewood northward to the middle of

Longboat Key, including Charlotte Harbor

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...

* Florida coast from the Yankeetown to Indian Pass

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* Florida coast south of Yankeetown to Boca Grande

* Florida coast from west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach

* St. Augustine to South Santee River South Carolina

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected

somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life

and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are

expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening

inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline. For

a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather

Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at

hurricanes.gov.

This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these

areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property

from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions.

Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local

officials.

A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-

threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the

coastline. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National

Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at

hurricanes.gov.

Interests elsewhere along the southeastern coast of the United

States should monitor the progress of this system. Additional

watches and warnings will likely be required later today.

For storm information specific to your area, including possible

inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your

local National Weather Service forecast office.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

----------------------

At 500 AM EDT (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Debby was located

near latitude 29.5 North, longitude 83.7 West. Debby is moving

toward the north-northeast near 12 mph (19 km/h). A gradual decrease

in forward speed with a turn toward the northeast and east is

expected later today and Tuesday. On the forecast track, the

center will reach the Florida Big Bend coast later this morning.

Debby is then expected to move slowly across northern Florida and

southern Georgia late today and Tuesday, and be near the Georgia

coast by Tuesday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph (130 km/h) with higher

gusts. Weakening is expected after Debby moves inland.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the

center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles

(220 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure based on data from the Air

Force Hurricane Hunters is 979 mb (28.91 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

----------------------

Key messages for Debby can be found in the Tropical Cyclone

Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT4 and WMO header WTNT44 KNHC.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning

area later this morning. Tropical storm conditions will continue to

spread northward over the tropical storm warning area along the

Florida Gulf coast through the morning, and begin along portions of

the tropical storm warning area along the Atlantic coast by this

evening. Tropical storm conditions are expected along the coast of

South Carolina within the tropical storm warning area by late

tonight.

STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and tide will cause

normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters

moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the

following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if

the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

Yankeetown, FL to Ochlockonee River, FL...6-10 ft

Chassahowitzka, FL to Yankeetown, FL...4-6 ft

Ochlockonee River, FL to Indian Pass, FL...4-6 ft

Middle of Longboat Key, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL...3-5 ft

Tampa Bay...3-5 ft

Mouth of the St. Mary's River to South Santee River, SC...2-4 ft

Middle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL...2-4 ft

For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation,

please see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic,

available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?peakSurge.

RAINFALL: Debby is expected to produce rainfall totals of 6 to 12

inches, with maximum amounts of 18 inches, across portions of

central and northern Florida as well as central and northeast North

Carolina through Saturday morning. This rainfall will likely result

in areas of considerable flash and urban flooding, with significant

river flooding expected.

Across portions of southeast Georgia, the coastal plain of South

Carolina, and southeast North Carolina, 10 to 20 inches of rainfall,

with local amounts to 30 inches, are expected through Saturday

morning. This potentially historic rainfall will likely result in

areas of catastrophic flooding.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall and flash flooding

associated with Hurricane Debby, please see the National Weather

Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at

hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?rainqpf and the Flash Flood Risk

graphic at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?ero. For a list of

rainfall observations (and wind reports) associated this storm, see

the companion storm summary at WBCSCCNS4 with the WMO header ACUS44

KWBC or at the following link:

www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/nfdscc4.html.

TORNADOES: A few tornadoes are possible over central and northern

Florida and southeastern Georgia today. The threat will spread

northeastward into parts of South Carolina later today and tonight.

SURF: Swells generated by Debby are expected to affect much of the

Gulf coast of Florida through tonight. Swells will begin to affect

the Southeast U.S. coast later today and continue through the

middle of the week. These conditions are likely to cause

life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult

products from your local weather office.


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