Debby Drenches Fayetteville Overnight, Here’s What to Expect Thursday
Tropical Storm Debby made landfall overnight in South Carolina, but the bulk of the wettest part of the system hit Fayetteville already as well.
Outer bands in the northeast quadrant of Debby drenched the region in the early hours Thursday morning, with wind and rains knocking out power in several places throughout the region.
Some localized flooding has closed several roads, including I-95 South at Exit 44.
Reports from listeners say that high water has caused multiple incidents along 401 near Wagram. Portions of Bragg Blvd and Ramsey Street had flooding and partial closures. Damage was seen at a gas station along Bragg Blvd, with a collapsed canopy.
The Town of Hope Mills reported several road closures due to flooding:
- Hunting Ridge Road: portions of Hunting Ridge near the intersection of Rockfish Road are flooded. These areas have been coned off.
- Rockfish Road: Rockfish Road is still passable with care.
- Deaver Circle: Deaver Circle has been barricaded. Please avoid this area.
- Sommer Drive: Sommer Drive has been barricaded. Please avoid this area.
Murchison Road from Spring Lake was also closed, so avoid that area. Cumberland County also issued an urgent alert for Rayconda Dam area residents, due to a dam breach.
As of 8 a.m., Debby was centralized inland in South Carolina, and was moving northwest at around 7 mph. According to the National Weather Service, a strengthening ridge over the Atlantic should help push the storm north. Debby should continue to pick up speed and move fairly quickly through the region.
Trailing rain bands will continue to impact the region throughout the day, and tropical storm-force wind gusts will create dangerous situations in some areas. Another 3-6 inches of rain is expected across much of the region, depending on how the trailing bands come together.
As with last night, tornadoes are possible within these storm systems, and everyone is advised to stay off the roads as much as possible.
