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'VERY TRAGIC:' DeSantis confirms fatalities after Debby hits Florida's Big Bend

Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane Monday morning near Steinhatchee

Gov. Ron Desantis and Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie provide update.

By: Aja Dorsainvil

Posted

and last updated

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference from the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.

Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane at around 7 a.m. Monday near Steinhatchee, a tiny community in northern Florida of less than 1,000 residents on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

"This did not bring the catastrophic hurricane force winds that we've seen in previous storms, like Hurricane Ian, but it has and continues to produce lots of water," DeSantis said. "We have four confirmed fatalities since the storm has begun. So, obviously that's very tragic."

The governor said the deaths are tied to traffic accidents in Dixie County and Hillsborough County and a tree that fell on the roof of a home in Levy County.

DeSantis said flooding will continue to be a concern even after the storm passes Florida and heads over Georgia and South Carolina.

"We do anticipate flooding in the northern part of the state, not just for the direct impacts of the rain but also as southern Georgia gets soaked," he said, "that water makes its way down to Florida as well."

The governor is also urging people to stay off the roads.

"We do think though, that Floridians are heading the call of being careful, particularly on the roads," DeSantis said, "but please be very cautious when you're going out."

According to the governor, they have 3,035 service members from the State Emergency Response Team that is from the Florida National Guard, as well as the 14 rotary aircraft and 50 tactical vehicles, ready to respond after the storm passes to do rescue operations.

DeSantis issued an executive order on Friday, amending and declaring a state of emergency for 61 counties.

TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide

Debby was downgraded to a tropical storm at 11 a.m. The storm is causing major flooding over parts Florida and is expect to bring rain to Georgia and South Carolina during the next few days.

The tropical storm is expected to produce a maximum of 18 inches of rain, across portions of central and northern Florida through Wednesday morning, leading to flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm is expected to move slowly across northern Florida and southern Georgia today and tomorrow and will move offshore of the South Carolina coast by late Tuesday and Wednesday.

WPTV NEWS COVERAGE OF DEBBY: