Tropical storm Debby causes deaths and devastation in Florida and threatens Georgia.

Tropical Storm Debby has left a trail of destruction and sadness in its wake as it passed through Florida, resulting in the deaths of four people before moving on to Georgia, where warnings of catastrophic flooding are intensifying. Local authorities reported that two of the victims, a 38-year-old driver and a 12-year-old boy, lost their lives in a tragic car accident in Dixie County. The woman lost control of her vehicle due to severe weather conditions, crashing into a guardrail. In another incident, a 64-year-old man died after an accident in which his semi-trailer fell into a canal near Tampa. The fourth victim was a 13-year-old teenager who was in his family's trailer, which was crushed by a tree downed by the storm. This tragic toll highlights the dangers posed by the weather phenomenon, which, although it made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, quickly weakened into a powerful tropical storm. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued alarming alerts, indicating that the storm could cause severe flooding in the southeastern United States. In its most recent bulletin, Michael Brennan, director of the NHC, described the risk of excessive rainfall as a level 4 out of 4, noting that a prolonged event of extreme rainfall could be expected to affect the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, and even North Carolina. As a precautionary measure, the governors of Georgia and South Carolina have declared a state of emergency, allowing for a quicker and more effective response to Debby's imminent arrival. By Monday night, the storm was maintaining sustained winds of 75 km/h as it moved over Georgia, where warnings of dangerous coastal flooding have been issued. In Florida, the impact of Debby has been severe, with around 250,000 residents without electricity following the storm's passage. Governor Ron DeSantis has urged the public to remain cautious and emphasized that, although Debby's winds were not as devastating as those of other hurricanes, the flooding and its effects on infrastructure are a real and present concern. Debby made landfall in a region known as Big Bend, a rural area that had already been hit by Hurricane Idalia last year. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June to November, is shaping up to be particularly active, partly due to high ocean temperatures that fuel the formation of increasingly intense storms. President Joe Biden has approved emergency declarations for Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia, thereby facilitating federal assistance to the affected areas. Additionally, DeSantis has activated the Florida National Guard, mobilizing more than 3,000 service members to aid in disaster response. The weather forecasts are alarming, as precipitation is anticipated to reach up to 70 centimeters in certain areas, potentially resulting in historic flooding. Authorities have already begun implementing mandatory evacuations in Citrus County and have issued voluntary evacuation orders in other affected areas. In an unexpected turn, the influx of Debby also led to the seizure of 25 packages of cocaine, valued at approximately one million dollars, which the storm swept ashore in the Florida Keys. This incident highlights how extreme conditions can influence criminal activities around natural phenomena. In light of the imminent threat, Vice President Kamala Harris has decided to postpone campaign events in North Carolina and Georgia. The situation serves as a reminder that even amidst politics, nature can impose its own priorities and challenges on the daily lives of millions of Americans. The community remains united, preparing to face the effects of Debby, while hopes remain steadfast for recovery and resilience in the face of adversity.