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Hurricane/TS Debby predicted to bring up to 20 inches of rain
As a Category 1, winds may gust to 60 mph
Debby Satellite image
Satellite image of Hurricane Debby on Monday morning. (Photo courtesy of NOAA/Weather Channel.)

By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

Update, 4:20 p.m. Aug. 5 – Effingham County residents who do not feel safe in their homes during the storm may seek shelter at Springfield Oaks Church, 210 Cleveland St., Springfield.  The shelter is managed by the Red Cross. Cots and blankets are provided and shower facilities are available on site. You must bring your own beverages, food, snacks (no refrigeration); pillows, clothing, toiletries and medicines. Pets are allowed but they must be in portable kennels.

Original story

Tropical Storm Debby was upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane early Monday morning, Aug. 5; as of 11 a.m. Monday, Debby has been downgraded back to a tropical storm. Effingham County residents should be prepared for heavy winds and potential flooding.

According to weather.com, and several other websites, the storm is predicted to move slowly from northern Florida into southern Georgia and across to Savannah before continuing northward along the coast.

Some models are predicting up to 20 inches of rain over the next two to three days.

Here are some local resources to help before, during, and after the storm:

·       To find out if your property is prone to flooding (and how much) click on the Effingham County website at: Local Flood Hazard | Effingham County, GA. Data is available by address; and you can find other flood-related information from the state and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

·      

Rincon sand bags
Tracy Crutcher, left, and Leon Walker filled sandbags for themselves and helped others as well at Freedom Park in Rincon, Aug. 5 before TS Debby made her appearance. (Photo by Jeff Whitten/Effingham Herald.)
Effingham County has sandbags and sand available at the following locations (while supplies last. Bring your own shovel):

o   Clarence Morgan Complex, 1750 Hwy. 21 S, Springfield

o   Sandhill Ballpark, 300 Stagecoach Rd., Guyton

o   Staffordshire Subdivision, off Blue Jay Road, Rincon

o   Freedom Park, 6755 Prosperity Dr., Rincon (between Lowe's and Rincon Chevrolet)

·       Rincon residents may download the Citizens Central app: City News (cityofrincon.com)

·       To report downed trees or flooding call 912-754-8311 or email: stormhelp@effinghamcounty.org.

·       Sign up Effingham County WENS alert system: Effingham County, GA WENS (inspironlogistics.com)

·       Effingham County Schools will hold Open Houses Monday night as scheduled. The district announced at noon Monday that open houses and all school activities at the high schools and middle schools are canceled for Tuesday. The district is monitoring the weather as for rescheduling open houses for the middle- and high schools, and also the First Day of School on Thursday.

Business closures announced as of Monday:

·       Manna House – no food distribution on Wednesday; Thrift Store closed on Thursday.

·       Savannah Technical College will close Monday at 3 p.m.; classes are canceled on Tuesday, Aug. 6 and Wednesday, Aug. 7.

·       County Health Department offices closed at noon Monday, Aug. 5 and remain closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Health department offices plan to reopen Thursday, Aug. 8 at 8 a.m.

·       Effingham Animal Hospital will be closed Tuesday and will reopen Wednesday if weather permits.

·       YMCA of Coastal Georgia has altered hours depending on location. Click on its website at www.ymcaofcoastalgeorgia.org for information about your branch.

·       Clarence E. Morgan gym is closed, according to the Effingham County Facebook page.

·       Atlantic Waste Services will conduct Monday pickups as normal.

·       Guyton City Hall closed Tursday, Aug. 6 and Wednesday, Aug. 7. Municipal court cases scheduled for Wednesday have been rescheduled for Sept. 4.

·       City of Rincon buildings closed at 2 p.m. Monday and will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

·       Springfield Planning and Zoning meeting scheduled for Monday, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. will be held as scheduled; however, the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee meeting scheduled for Aug. 6 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 5 p.m.  

·       Springfield City Hall will be closed on Tuesday; and is monitoring conditions to possibly open on Wednesday.

·       All Effingham County government offices will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

·       Effingham County Board of Commissioners’ meeting Tuesday will be held by teleconference beginning at 5 p.m. No public hearing items will be heard at this meeting.

Effingham County Sheriff's Office will have a list of available shelters Monday afternoon.

[This is a developing story. Check back often for updates.]