CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – As Tropical Storm Debby heads toward the Carolinas, it is already leaving a trail of devastation in its wake, including in the Charlotte area.
Earlier this week, Debby drenched Florida and Georgia before moving on to South Carolina, where some locations along the coast received more than a foot of rain.
Several tornadoes swept through the Carolinas, including one that a middle school destroyed in Wilson County.
Power outages
As of 10 a.m., nearly 100,000 Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas were without power. More than 60,000 of them were in the Charlotte area.
Power outages were a major problem Thursday and Duke has made preparations by strategically stationing power installers throughout the region.
Some areas, including Gaston County, reported fallen trees on power lines.
Real-time outage maps for all energy providers in North Carolina and South Carolina can be found Here.
flooding
Reports of flooding were received throughout the Charlotte area throughout the morning.
Several photos and videos show flooding in Rock Hill. A video from College Downs Park shows the playground flooded with rain pouring down.
In Charlotte, creeks and ditches have overflowed streets and intersections, causing numerous road closures. Motorists in Union County can track closures and problem areas by clicking. Here.
In addition to power outages, flooding is also a major concern in Debby, as ten to fifteen centimeters of rain could fall on Thursday. Flash flood warnings and additional weather warnings are in effect for several counties in the Charlotte area.
Authorities are urging all road users to avoid flooded roads, not to move or to bypass barriers.
Wind damage
Strong wind gusts of up to 45-50 mph are expected in the Carolinas, triggering wind advisories in some areas.
The high winds have knocked down many trees in the Charlotte area, including one in Rock Hill that crushed a Camaro. Other trees have downed power lines and blocked roads.
The gusts are strong enough to blow away unsecured objects.
Despite several tornadoes in the south and east, it is unlikely that any will occur in the Charlotte area.
Stay tuned to WBTV on air and online for the latest Debby updates. Also download the free WBTV Weather App to get weather alerts and the latest forecasts on the go.
Related: Nearly 100,000 Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas without power as Debby moves on
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