Tropical Storm Debby Exits United States, Leaving Flooding and Power Disruptions in its Wake

The storm finally moves out after causing substantial damage across various states

Tropical Storm Debby, which first arrived in Florida as a hurricane, has at last moved out of the United States after nearly a week of causing widespread destruction. Despite the resurfacing of the sun on Saturday, over 100,000 homes and businesses across Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont remained without power, some of which could take days to restore.

Alongside the power outages, large-scale flooding – particularly in a small portion of northern New York where up to 7 inches of rain fell – was an additional aftermath of the storm. While the floodwaters there were slowly receding by Saturday afternoon, several roads remain engulfed.

Flash Flooding and Tornadoes in New York and Pennsylvania

Debby’s final day passing over the U.S. before moving onto Canada saw torrential rain in south-central New York and north-central Pennsylvania on Friday. This weather led to evacuations and helicopter rescues. By Saturday morning, the recovery operation had started, with emergency workers clearing debris and pumping floodwater from residences’ basements.

In Steuben County, south of the Finger Lakes in New York, some of the worst flash flooding occurred. Several towns in the area were ordered to evacuate as floodwaters blocked roads, trapping residents. Down south in Pennsylvania’s Tioga County, a search and rescue operation was underway for a person unaccounted for after the widespread flooding.

An EF-1 Tornado in Pennsylvania’s Capital

The weather service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touchdown in Pennsylvania’s capital, Harrisburg, early on Friday. The tornado, with peak winds estimated at 105 mph, affected commercial and residential infrastructure, unrooting several trees in its path.

Debby, having been downgraded to a tropical depression on Thursday, hit land once in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane before moving over the Atlantic Ocean. She then landed again early Thursday in South Carolina, this time as a tropical storm.

Recovery Efforts and Federal Aid

Having declared a significant disaster in Florida, President Joe Biden has commanded federal aid to assist recovery operations for areas affected by the hurricane.

With nine deaths related to Debby – mostly caused by vehicle accidents or fallen trees – the damage left behind by the storm is severe and extensive. In Vermont, a state where around 19,000 homes and businesses were still powerless on Saturday, wind gusts exceeding 60 mph had toppled massive trees, especially in areas where the ground stayed saturated from previous storms.

Vermont’s repeated and increasingly damaging storms are “heartbreaking,” as stated by Mike Burke, vice president of operations at Green Mountain Power.