&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Mergefrom.svg){kind=small} | This article is currently being merged. After a discussion, consensus to merge this article with content from 2012 Tropical Storm Debby tornado outbreak was found. You can help implement the merge by following the instructions at Help:Merging and the resolution on the discussion. Process started in 5 November 2024. |
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Debby_Jun_24_2012_1900Z.jpg) Tropical Storm Debby at peak intensity on June 24, 2012 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | June 23, 2012 |
| Extratropical | June 27, 2012 |
| Dissipated | June 30, 2012 |
| Tropical storm | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 65 mph (100 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 990 mbar (hPa); 29.23 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 5 direct, 3 indirect |
| Damage | $250 million (2012 USD) |
| Areas affected | Cuba, Central America, Southeastern United States, Bermuda |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Tropical Storm Debby was a tropical cyclone that caused extensive flooding in North Florida and Central Florida during late June 2012. The fourth tropical cyclone and named storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, Debby developed from a trough of low pressure in the central Gulf of Mexico on June 23. At the time, Debby was the earliest fourth named storm to form within the Atlantic basin on record. Despite a projected track toward landfall in Louisiana or Texas, the storm headed the opposite direction, moving slowly north-northeast and northeastward. The storm slowly strengthened, and at 1800 UTC on June 25, attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h). Dry air, westerly wind shear, and upwelling of cold waters prevented further intensification over the next 24 hours. Instead, Debby weakened, and by late on June 26, it was a minimal tropical storm. At 2100 UTC, the storm made landfall near Steinhatchee, Florida with winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). Once inland, the system continued to weaken while crossing Florida, and dissipated shortly after emerging into the Atlantic on June 27.
The storm dropped immense amounts of precipitation near its path. Rainfall peaked at 28.78 inches (731 mm) in Curtis Mill, Florida, located in southwestern Wakulla County. The Sopchoppy River, which reached its record height, flooded at least 400 structures in Wakulla County. Additionally, the Suwannee River reached its highest level since Hurricane Dora in 1964. Further south in Pasco County, the Anclote River and Pithlachascotee River overflowed, flooding communities with "head deep" water and causing damage to 106 homes. An additional 587 homes were inundated after the Black Creek overflowed in Clay County. Several roads and highways in North Florida were left impassable, including Interstate 10 and U.S. Route 90. U.S. Routes 19 and 98 were also inundated by coastal flooding. In Central and South Florida, damage was primarily caused by tornadoes, one of which caused a fatality. Overall, Debby caused at least $250 million in losses and 8 deaths, 7 in Florida and 1 in Alabama.