As Tropical Storm Debby continues to make its way up the coast toward North Carolina, heavy rain bands and flooding have been reported across the Cape Fear region.
The storm is expected to move slowly off the South Carolina coast through Wednesday. Debby may make landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning along the South Carolina coast, then begin moving northward Thursday night and Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
The Cape Fear region is expected to see historic rainfall amounts, with up to 15 inches possible.
The StarNews will be providing live updates throughout the day, so check back regularly for the latest news associated with Tropical Storm Debby.
Tropical Storm Debby:The latest on what to expect in the Wilmington area
TRACK THE STORM: See the latest path for Tropical Storm Debby
President Joe Biden approves emergency declaration for NC | 10 a.m. Wednesday
President Joe Biden has approved federal disaster assistance for North Carolina due to emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Debby.
In a news release, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Wednesday that President Biden’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.
Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties are included where emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursem*nt for mass care including evacuation and shelter support, will be provided at 75% federal funding.
-- Owen Hassell
Conditions breezy, quiet for the moment | 9 a.m. Wednesday
The skies over Southport are gray, but there has been a temporary reprieve from Tropical Storm Debby’s rain bands.
Conditions are breezy, and for now, things are mostly quiet. Restaurants in Southport’s Yacht Basin remain closed due to the weather, and some businesses in downtown Southport have also closed for the storm.
The town of Oak Island will continue flying its double red beach warning flags today, which means all swimming and in-ocean activities are restricted until further notice. The town’s recreation, nature, ocean education, and community center will all be closed today and tomorrow. The Oak Island Pier and 801 Ocean are also closed Wednesday and Thursday.
The city of Southport opened its Emergency Operations Center at 8 a.m. The Board of Aldermen meeting for Thursday at 6 p.m. will be rescheduled for a date and time to be determined soon, according to the city's website.
The Holden Beach Town Hall will be closed today and tomorrow.
Brunswick County has canceled all parks and recreation activities through Sunday, Aug. 11.
-- Renee Spencer
Tropical storm warning remains in effect | 8 a.m. Wednesday
On Wednesday, residents in the Wilmington area woke up under a tropical storm warning as Tropical Storm Debby continued to crawl up the coast.
According to the National Hurricane Center’s 8 a.m. update, Tropical Storm Debby was located 50 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and about 90 miles east of Savannah, Georgia, with maximum sustained winds at 45 mph.
In addition to the tropical storm warning, the Brunswick County coast remains under a storm surge watch, meaning there is a possibility of “life-threatening inundation” from rising water moving inland from the coastline over the next 48 hours.
The storm is currently moving to the northeast at 4 mph. “A turn toward the north and north-northwest is expected today, bringing the center of Debby to the South Carolina coast by tonight or early Thursday,” the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 a.m. advisory. The storm is then expected to pick up speed and move toward the north and northeast across the Carolinas and into the Mid-Atlantic region on Thursday and Friday.
Maximum sustained winds remain at 45 mph. Some strengthening is possible today or tonight as the center of Debby moves over the Atlantic Ocean.
-- Renee Spencer
Road flooding reported as rainfall amounts rise | 6 a.m. Wednesday
By Tuesday night, some areas of the Cape Fear region had already seen more than 4 inches of rain from Tropical Storm Debby. And road flooding was being reported in several areas of Brunswick County due to heavy rains associated with Debby.
The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office reported pooling water along U.S. 74/76 at the westbound on ramp from U.S. 17 and flooding along Bellamy Road in Longwood, Mill Branch Road and Danford Road. The Boiling Spring Lakes Police Department warned residents about flooding along Fairway Drive on the N.C. 87 side, areas of Masters Drive and Windemere Drive. Portions of Caswell Beach Road in Caswell Beach were also beginning to flood.
As of 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, the highest rainfall total in the region was 4.24 inches in Calabash, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. Most other areas in Brunswick and New Hanover counties had seen 1-3 inches of rain. With heavy downpours overnight and into Wednesday, totals will increase with the weather service predicting 10-15 inches across the region in the coming days.
-- Sherry Jones, Renee Spencer
More:Flooding hotspots to watch for in the Wilmington area with historic rainfall predicted
Hurricane center briefing | 5 a.m. Wednesday
As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, Tropical Storm Debby was located about 45 south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. The storm was moving toward the east around 5 mph. A slower motion toward the north and north-northwest is expected Wednesday.
The National Hurricane Center reported that Debby is expected to make landfall along the South Carolina coast Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Maximum sustained winds were near 45 mph with higher gusts.
Some strengthening is possible before the center of Debby reaches South Carolina coast. But weakening isforecast to begin on Thursday after the center moves inland. Debby is expected to merge with a frontal boundary over the U.S. Mid-Atlantic on Friday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center.
-- Sherry Jones
Shelter opening in Brunswick County | 4 a.m. Wednesday
Brunswick County is opening a public shelter at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Town Creek Middle School, 6370 Lake Park Drive SE, Winnabow.
You are encouraged to bring enough clothing, medication, toiletries, pet food, and other essential items for three or more days. The only pets allowed will be domestic dogs and cats.
More details on what to expect at a public shelter and recommended items to bring can be found at brunswickcountync.gov/shelters.
-- Sherry Jones
