Tropical Storm Debby expected to bring 6-12 inches of rain to the Aiken area (2024)

Aiken residents can expect a soggy first full week of August.

The National Hurricane Center expects Tropical Storm Debby to bring 6-12 inches of rain to Aiken and the surrounding area.

The storm made landfall in Florida this morning as a Category 1 hurricane but has since been downgraded back to tropical storm status.

The projected path of the storm has shifted slightly eastward over the past 24 hours, moving more of Aiken and the surrounding area into the area projected to receive 6-8 inches of rain. The southeastern part of the Aiken area remains within the area the National Hurricane Center expects to receive 8-12 inches of rain.

The National Hurricane Center predicts a "moderate" chance of flash flooding in the Aiken area. A "moderate" chance of flash flooding is between 40%-70% likely to occur.

The National Hurricane Center also expects the storm's winds to arrive in the Aiken area around 8 a.m. Aug. 6.

Rains will begin on the afternoon of Aug. 5 and continue through Aug. 8,according to The Weather Channel.

S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Aug. 4.

The state is monitoring the storm and has begun to prepare for the expected impacts, McMaster said in a news release.

"With a potentially significant rainfall event forecast for the next few days, it is critical that residents in potentially affected areas start making preparations and plans today– in case it is necessary to take quick action," McMaster continued.

The Aiken Public School District said they are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Debby for possible impact to the county.

"The safety of our students, teachers, staff and families is our highest priority," the district said in a statement.

Any changes to the district's regular schedule will be shared on the district's website – acpsd.net – as well as through the district's website, social media accounts and mobile app.

Parents can also expect to hear about changes through phone calls, texts or emails from the district.

The National Hurricane Center recommends people living in areas affected by hurricanes to maintain an emergency kit that includes water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, batteries, a whistle, a dust mask, tools, towelettes and other sanitation equipment and maps.

The hurricane center also recommends homeowners, renters and car owners to review their insurance policies to make sure they're covered in the event their property is damaged.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division recommends residents "hide from the wind," "run from the water" and to prepare for power outages ahead of time.

Aiken residents affected by power outages can report outages to Dominion Energy at 1-888-333-4465 or atdominionenergy.com/south-carolina/report-outage-or-emergency. To report an outage to Aiken Electric Cooperative, call 877-264-5368.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said the state of emergency means that the state's anti-price gouging laws are in effect.

"We can expect normal price increases, and those are not considered price gouging under our law," Wilson said in an news release. "But we may see businesses and individuals looking to unfairly take advantage of the situation through price gouging of food, gasoline, lodging, and other commodities as defined by the statute. By our law, that’s a criminal violation and an unfair trade practice."

Information about suspected price gouging can be emailed topricegouging@scag.gov.

Education Reporter Erin Weeks contributed to this report.