Tropical Storm Debby makes second landfall in South Carolina as it moves up the East Coast

Tropical Storm Debby made a second landfall early Thursday along the coast of South Carolina near Bulls Bay, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Bulls Bay is no stranger to tropical activity of historic nature, as with 1989's Hurricane Hugo, Bulls Bay recorded a 20-foot storm surge. This storm surge at Bulls Bay with Hugo is still the highest storm surge the eastern coast of the U.S. has ever recorded.

Debby is forecast to slowly move north through the state, exiting later tonight. The storm will pick up speed on Friday and move into the northeastern U.S. before the weekend.

At least six people have died during the storm either from traffic accidents or fallen trees.

TIMING

Thursday will still be rainy and windy with conditions improving Friday.

Debby first made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane early Monday on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It is now a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds at 50 mph.

RAIN

Considerable flooding is expected across parts of eastern South Carolina and southeast North Carolina through Friday, with an additional 3 to 9 inches of rain forecast, as well as in portions of Virginia, according to the hurricane center.

Debby also dumped rain on communities all the way up to the Great Lakes and New York and New Jersey. Moisture from the tropical storm strengthened another system Tuesday evening, which caused strong thunderstorms, according to weather service meteorologist Scott Kleebauer.

As much as 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain fell in parts of New Jersey in less than four hours.

Emergency officials in New York City warned of potential flash flooding, flying drones with loudspeakers in some neighborhoods to tell people in basement apartments to be ready to flee at a moment’s notice. Multiple water rescues were reported in and near the city.

WIND

Windy conditions will continue through Thursday, though the expected speed will be lower now that Debby is over land. Twenty-five to 35 mph gusts are possible across the entire region.

Winds will fall quickly on Thursday evening and Friday. With all the rain and saturated soil, a few trees could fall, and isolated power outages are still possible as a result.

TORNADO

The tornado risk will be more focused over eastern North Carolina on Thursday as Debby moves north.

WHAT'S NEXT

A state of emergency was in effect for both North Carolina and Virginia. Maryland issued a state of preparedness declaration that coordinates preparations without declaring an emergency.

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Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.