Tropical storm Debby leaves four dead and chaos in the southeastern U.S.

Tropical Storm Debby has left a trail of devastation in its wake as it passed through the southeastern United States, resulting in a tragic toll of four deaths in Florida. This weather phenomenon made landfall last Sunday as a Category 1 hurricane before weakening and becoming a tropical storm as it moved inland toward Georgia. The situation has prompted catastrophic flood warnings in several regions, leading the governors of Georgia and South Carolina to declare a state of emergency. Among the fatalities is a 38-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy, who lost their lives in a car accident in Dixie County. Authorities have indicated that the poor weather conditions were a determining factor in the loss of control of the vehicle. Additionally, a 64-year-old man died in a similar incident when his semi-truck crashed and fell into a canal near Tampa. The fourth victim, a 13-year-old teenager, was crushed by a tree that was uprooted by the storm while he was in his family's trailer. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings about the possible arrival of extreme rainfall as Debby continues its trajectory. It is estimated that precipitation could reach up to 70 centimeters in some areas of Georgia, South Carolina, and even North Carolina, significantly increasing the risk of flooding. Michael Brennan, director of the NHC, warned that this is a prolonged event of extreme rainfall that could have devastating consequences for the affected communities. In Florida, authorities have reported that around 250,000 residents have been left without electricity following Debby's passage, further complicating the situation in a region that has already experienced natural disasters in the past. Governor Ron DeSantis urged the population to take precautions and remain vigilant in the face of possible intensifications of the storm, although he noted that Debby's winds have not been as destructive as those of other recent hurricanes. The storm's impact has been felt especially in Florida's Big Bend region, an area that connects the peninsula to the rest of the country and was already hit last year by Hurricane Idalia. In response to the emergency, President Joe Biden has approved emergency declarations for the affected states, allowing for the mobilization of federal resources to assist in recovery efforts. The Florida National Guard has been activated, and over 3,000 members have been deployed to assist in response to the cyclone, while mandatory evacuations have been ordered in several areas, including Citrus County. Additionally, surge advisories have been issued warning of the possibility of dangerous flooding due to rising sea levels. As the storm progresses, Vice President Kamala Harris has decided to postpone campaign events in North Carolina and Georgia, reflecting the seriousness of the situation and the need to focus on emergency efforts. On the other hand, the situation has also had unexpected implications, as the Border Patrol managed to seize 25 packages of cocaine, valued at nearly one million dollars, washed ashore by the currents near the Florida Keys. This year's hurricane season is shaping up to be one of the most intense, influenced by the warming of the Atlantic Ocean waters. NOAA has warned that the combination of high ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions could continue to produce storms of considerable magnitude. In this context, the community faces the harsh reality of natural disasters and the need to strengthen warning and emergency response systems. Meanwhile, residents of the southeastern United States are preparing for inclement weather, hoping that the rains do not cause further tragedies. Recovery from the impacts of Debby will be a long road, but the resilience of the affected communities will be tested once again in the coming weeks. The situation continues to evolve, and authorities are expected to keep monitoring the storm's development while implementing measures to protect the population and minimize damage.