Tropical Storm Debby makes second landfall near Bulls Bay

(WCBD)- Tropical Storm Debby made a second landfall along the South Carolina coast early Thursday morning, bringing pockets of heavy rain and gusty winds.

The storm strengthened slightly as it churned over the western Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday before the center moved inland near Bulls Bay, South Carolina with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

It is now moving northwest at 5 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory.

It made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane near Florida’s Big Bend region on Monday before slowly crawling up the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina.

The Lowcountry began feeling the impacts of Debby late Sunday night with the drenching rain and widespread flooding happening throughout the day Tuesday.

The tropical storm conditions prompted the City of Charleston to enact a curfew which blocked access to the downtown peninsula for 32 hours. The curfew was lifted early Wednesday morning.

According to Storm Team 2, an estimated 8 to 16 inches of precipitation had fallen across the area as of Wednesday night.

Some areas could see another 2 to 3 inches of rain over the next 48 hours. Drivers are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel until the storm passes.

The persistent rain led to dozens of road closures due to flooding. SCDOT crews and local first responders are working to clear drainage structures, place barricades, and remove downed trees and debris from roadways and bridges.

The National Weather Service also confirmed six tornadoes associated with the storm touched down overnight Monday.

Forecasters said an EF-0 tornado touched down on Kiawah Island, an EF-0 tornado spun through Ladys Island, an EF-1 made landfall on Isle of Palms, and an EF-0 spun through West Ashley.

An EF-1 tornado formed from a waterspout on Edisto Beach, downing power lines, uprooting trees, and damaging homes along its path.

Another EF-1 tornado was reported in Moncks Corner. Images showed heavy damage to an Arby’s restaurant near Highway 52 and an overturned vehicle.

Crews across the Lowcountry performed several rescues from homes and cars, but no deaths have been reported statewide since Debby’s outer bands first arrived.

The storm is expected to pick up speed and weaken as it moves north across the Carolinas and into the Mid-Atlantic states on Thursday and Friday.