WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Debby made its second and final landfall at Bulls Bay, South Carolina Wednesday night. As Debby’s center slogs into the central Carolinas through Friday, its impactful eastern bands will only slowly loosen their grip Cape Fear Region Thursday and Friday. Expect a transition to more typical August weather conditions, including hot sun and, yes, scattered storms, into the weekend. Please continue to have your WECT Weather App set to ping you with important National Weather Service bulletins – from flooding to marine to tornado to tropical storm.

Heavy Rain: Between Monday and Wednesday, five to ten inches of rain has fallen across most of the Cape Fear Region. With more scattered torrential rain bands likely through Thursday and possibly even into Friday, total rainfall from Debby remains on track to exceed ten inches in most spots. Exercise extreme caution when traveling, especially in times of intense rain and around areas prone to flash and drainage flooding.

River Flooding: Minor to locally moderate river flooding remains likely across the area by this weekend. The National Weather Service forecast for the Northeast Cape Fear River at Burgaw has officially been adjusted to a projected crest of around 16 feet this weekend. Other river sites projected to enter moderate flooding include the Lumber at Fair Bluff, the Waccamaw at Freeland, and the Cape Fear at Elizabethtown. Obviously, the situation is fluid, as the storm hasn’t finished distributing rain, so please stay tuned for updates.

Severe Storms: Continue to stay alert around any stronger rain bands as they may be able to leverage spin from the parent storm to spawn one or two stray tornadoes. This marginal risk will stay valid into at least Thursday.

Strong Winds: Humid east and south winds have been and will likely continue to gust into tropical storm territory – like the 30s, 40s, and 50s mph – into Thursday. Keep loose yard and patio items secured, and devices charged to guard against any sporadic power outages.

Marine Impacts: High surf, rip currents, hazardous seas, and isolated waterspouts should continue to encourage you to stay out of / off of the water through at least Friday.

Thanks for staying with your First Alert Weather Team on TV, online, on your WECT Weather App, and with your comprehensive Hurricane Season guide at wect.com/hurricane.

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