CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Tropical Storm Debby swirled over the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, causing devastating floods and severe weather across the southeastern coast, before being expected to move north. As the storm progressed, it left a trail of destruction from coastal Georgia to the Carolinas and as far north as Virginia and New York City.

In Charleston, South Carolina, the storm delivered more than a foot of rain, prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency. Charleston Mayor Williams Cogswell implemented a downtown peninsula curfew, which lasted 32 hours, to prevent property damage due to debris and avoid water rescues. He emphasized that the closures were necessary to prevent injuries caused by driving through flooded streets.

Debby's wide rainbands brought significant rainfall inland, aggravating areas already prone to flooding. In southeastern North Carolina, forecasters warned of up to nine inches of rain, particularly concerning given the historic floods caused by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018. President Joe Biden has approved emergency declarations, making federal disaster assistance available to affected states.

The storm's inundation was fierce in Savannah, Georgia, where firefighters evacuated residents using boats and waded through floodwaters to deliver supplies to those who stayed behind. Michael Jones, a local resident, described a harrowing night where water surged into his home, forcing him to spend the night on his kitchen table until firefighters rescued him the following morning.

Bands of storms enhanced by Debby even reached as far north as New York City, causing localized flooding that stranded motorists and disrupted transit systems. The National Weather Service reported flash flooding and issued a flood watch for the entire city. In Philadelphia, forecasters predicted variable rainfall totals, with the city and its neighbors under severe storm and flood watches throughout the week.

The storm not only caused flooding but also shore disruptions, evidenced by massive flight cancelations at major airports like LaGuardia and JFK in New York and Myrtle Beach International Airport in South Carolina. The Federal Aviation Administration reported numerous ground stops, further complicating travel plans.

In Colleton County, South Carolina, the intense rainfall tested a dam near Green Pond, which held despite water running over its top. Local fire-rescue officials monitored barricades blocking debris-strewn roads. Tornadoes spawned by Debby added to the chaos, damaging homes and toppling trees on Kiawah and Edisto Islands.

The storm also posed long-term flooding risks. In Florida, residents were warned of rising tributaries like the St. Marys and Suwannee Rivers, likely to burst their banks due to the immense rainfall expected upstream in Georgia and South Carolina. Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted that flooding in northern Florida, while appearing manageable now, could intensify in the coming days.

Virginia prepared for Debby's potential impact by declaring a state of emergency. Governor Glenn Youngkin emphasized collaboration and readiness among residents to mitigate the storm's potential damage. Community efforts centered on preventing harm from floods and strong winds, indicative of the storm's far-reaching effects.

Southern states remain wary, even as forecasters predict Debby will weaken as it continues northward. Communities brace for further impacts, evident from Savannah to Vermont. The weather service indicates more rain through the weekend, raising concerns about additional flooding and infrastructure damage.

Tropical Storm Debby underscores the unpredictability and power of slow-moving cyclones. Its relentless rainfall, heightened by atmospheric conditions, has set precedence for future storm preparedness and resilient infrastructure in vulnerable areas.