Tropical Storm Debby (2012)

Tropical Storm Debby causes extensive flooding in North Florida and Central Florida during late June of 2012


In the map above, you can clearly see where the storm started and the major points in which it affects Florida and was recorded. The storm formed in the south-central Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in the Florida Big Bend region. The merger of the two systems resulted in a trough of low pressure over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by 22 June. Disorganized bursts of convection were occurring east of the trough axis due to moderate westerly vertical wind shear associated with an upper-tropospheric trough over the western Gulf of Mexico. The upper-level divergence was enhanced ahead of the trough, and a long convective band developed southeast of the sharpening surface trough by early on 23 June. Several days of onshore flow along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle resulted in storm surge flooding in many communities. Rainfall peaked at 28.78 inches (731 mm) in Curtis Mill, Florida, and flooded nearly 400 structures in Wakulla County.

Several days of onshore flow along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle resulted in storm surge flooding in many communities. Over 400 structures were affected by flooding, including more than 170 mobile homes and nearly 200 single-family residences. Of these structures, 40 were destroyed, 61 had major flood damage, 41 suffered minor flood damage, and 271 were affected by flooding. Additionally, coastal flooding impacted the county, with a storm surge of 4 feet (1.2 m) and tides up 6.5 feet (2.0 m) in St. Marks. Numerous roads were underwater and several area businesses received water intrusion in that city.

On June 24, voluntary evacuations were issued for several areas in northwest Florida during the approach of the storm, especially Taylor and Wakulla Counties. Governor of Florida Rick Scott also declared a state of emergency on June 25. Additionally, mandatory evacuations were issued for St. George Island, Alligator Point, and other low-lying areas of Franklin County. The governor said the storm is a reminder that residents need to prepare for storms before disasters threaten. Overall, Debby caused at least $250 million in losses and 10 deaths, 8 in Florida and 1 each in Alabama and South Carolina.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Debby moved off into the Atlantic on Wednesday, as many Florida communities started the long process of drying out and cleaning up. Flooding damaged thousands of homes, washed-out roads, opened up sinkholes, and closed a section of Interstate 10 — the state's main east-west highway. Disney World wasn't as crowded as usual Tuesday, and one of its water parks closed because of the soggy, windy weather. In terms of the wildlife, some eagle nests were also destroyed and more than a dozen baby deer were separated from their mothers during the storm — but most of the babies were reunited with their herds. Following the storm, President Obama issued a disaster declaration for Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lafayette, Manatee, Nassau, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla Counties of Florida. In Citrus County, total individual assistance of $127,000 was paid out to 140 residents, including $112,000 in damage to housing. A total of 1,671 applications for individual assistance were filed in Pinellas County, totaling $900,000.


Citations:

Busby, Guy. “Tropical Storm Debby Shows Need for Storm Preparation, State Officials Say.” Al, 26 June 2012, www.al.com/live/2012/06/tropical_storm_debby_shows_nee.html.

“Debby Aftermath: Flooded Homes, Busted Roads.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 28 June 2012, www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna47978615.

Kimberlain, Todd B. “Tropical Cyclone Report Tropical Storm Debby .” National Hurricane Center, 7 Jan. 2013, www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL042012_Debby.pdf.

US Department of Commerce, NOAA. “Tropical Storm Debby Event Summary.” National Weather Service, NOAA's National Weather Service, 14 Aug. 2018, www.weather.gov/tae/event-201206_debby.