The landfall of Tropical Storm Debby is expected to occur in South Carolina August 2024 just southwest of Myrtle Beach as soon as the early hours of tomorrow, Thursday, August 8, 2024; and as a result, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — if this region is in your travel plans over the next few days.
Landfall of Tropical Storm Debby Expected in South Carolina: August 2024 Travel Alert
Maximum sustained winds of Tropical Storm Debby — which is currently approximately 55 miles east southeast of Charleston in South Carolina and moving northeast at a speed of three miles per hour — are at 60 miles per hour, which means that it is currently a fairly strong tropical storm.
The first landfall of what was once a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour occurred near Steinhatchee in the Big Bend area of the state of Florida at approximately 7:00 in the morning on Monday, August 5, 2024. Two children were among at least four fatalities which were reported. Electrical power lines were down, which resulted in approximately 250,000 homes without electrical power. Trees were uprooted as well.
A state of emergency has been declared by Henry McMaster, who is the current governor of the state of South Carolina.
The outermost bands of this tropical storm are already currently affecting portions of southern North Carolina.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from:
- North of the Savannah River in South Carolina to Surf City in North Carolina
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for North Carolina from:
- North of Surf City to Beaufort Inlet
The main issue with this storm in South Carolina will be substantial flooding. Due to both the slow forward movement of Tropical Storm Debby and torrential rainfall, significant precipitation of up to 25 inches is possible in across portions of South Carolina and up to 15 inches in portions of North Carolina, which is expected to result in considerably significant urban flooding and flash flooding.
Rough surf and strong rip currents are currently affecting much of the southeastern United States. A storm surge of as high as three feet above normal is expected to contribute to the aforementioned significant flooding of portions of South Carolina and North Carolina.
Expect windy conditions to occur over much of eastern South Carolina and central North Carolina. An isolated tornado is possible — especially in extreme eastern South Carolina and eastern North Carolina.
Tropical Storm Debby will weaken to a tropical depression as it heads northeast. As with South Carolina, torrential rain will be the main issue as the storm passes over central Virginia, eastern West Virginia, western Maryland, central Pennsylvania, central New York, Vermont, and eastern Québec over the coming days.
Flight Waivers, Delays, and Cancellations
If you are traveling to or from South Carolina, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this tropical weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.
Here are 14 airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this tropical weather system:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
- 15 airports in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina for Monday, August 5, 2024 through Friday, August 9, 2024; and Wednesday, August 14, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- 15 airports in Florida for Saturday, August 3, 2024 through Wednesday, August 7, 2024; and Sunday, August 11, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for:
- Nine airports in four states for Monday, August 5, 2024 through Wednesday, August 7, 2024; and Saturday, August 10, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Valdosta in Georgia and seven airports in Florida for Saturday, August 3, 2024 through Monday, August 5, 2024; and Thursday, August 8, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
- 17 airports in four states for Monday, August 5, 2024 through Wednesday, August 7, 2024; and Thursday, August 15, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Eleven airports in North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland for Friday, August 9, 2024 through Saturday, August 10, 2024; and Saturday, August 17, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Alaska Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
- Tampa and Orlando for Sunday, August 4, 2024 through Tuesday, August 6, 2024; and Saturday, August 10, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- North Charleston for Tuesday, August 6, 2024 through Thursday, August 8, 2024; and Thursday, August 15, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
- Six airports in Florida for Saturday, August 3, 2024 through Monday, August 5, 2024; and Monday, August 19, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Charleston, Jacksonville, Myrtle Beach, and Savannah for Monday, August 5, 2024 through Wednesday, August 7, 2024; and Wednesday, August 21, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Eight airports in North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania for Friday, August 9, 2024 through Saturday, August 10, 2024; and Saturday, August 24, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued travel alerts for Charleston, Jacksonville, and Savannah-Hilton Head for Monday, August 5, 2024 through Thursday, August 8, 2024; and Saturday, August 10, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Frontier Airlines has issued travel alerts for twelve airports in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina for Saturday, August 3, 2024 through Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
- Spirit Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
- Fort Myers and Tampa for Saturday, August 3, 2024 through Monday, August 5, 2024; and Monday, August 12, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Charleston and Myrtle Beach for Monday, August 5, 2024 through Wednesday, August 7, 2024; and Wednesday, August 14, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Allegiant Air has issued travel alerts for ten airports in Florida for Friday, August 2, 2024 through Monday, August 5, 2024.
- Breeze Airways has issued travel alerts for:
- Charleston and five airports in Florida for Monday, August 5, 2024 through Wednesday, August 7, 2024; and Wednesday, August 21, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Five airports in five states for Tuesday, August 6, 2024 through Wednesday, August 7, 2024; and Wednesday, August 21, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Silver Airways has issued travel alerts for five airports in Florida for Saturday, August 3, 2024 through Tuesday, August 6, 2024; and Saturday, August 10, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Air Canada has issued a travel alert for Charleston for Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
- Aeromexico has issued travel alerts for Tampa, Miami, and Orlando for Sunday, August 4, 2024 through Monday, August 5, 2024; and Thursday, August 8, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
- Nine airports in four states for Monday, August 5, 2024 through Wednesday, August 7, 2024; and Saturday, August 10, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Valdosta in Georgia and seven airports in Florida for Saturday, August 3, 2024 through Monday, August 5, 2024; and Thursday, August 8, 2024 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
Final Boarding Call
Expect additional travel waivers to be issued from airlines as Tropical Storm Debby advances northeast.
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
The outer bands of Tropical Storm Debby. Photograph ©2024 by Brian Cohen.
