While Hurricane Debby continued to move north-northeast on Monday after making landfall near Steinhatchee on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Volusia and Flagler counties weathered rain bands, gusty winds and the potential for tornadoes tied to the storm.
Volusia and Flagler counties, among many other Florida counties, were under a tornado watch until 4 p.m. Monday, the extension of a watch initially issued on Sunday. That watch was discontinued at 2:55 p.m.
By Monday morning, there had been no indications of tornado sightings in Volusia County, although a potential tornado was being investigated in in Cocoa, in Brevard County, said Will Ulrich, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
Statewide, a state of emergency was still in effect Monday for 61 of Florida's 67 counties, including Volusia and Flagler.
Debby was expected to bring 6 to 12 inches of rain to Florida, with some areas seeing up to 18 inches.
Volusia and Flagler counties had been under a tornado watch until 4 p.m. on Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville.
'Normal, rainy kind of blustery day'
For the most part, while Debbie made landfall in northwest Florida, things in Volusia County were wet but quiet.
Volusia County officials hadn't received reports of flooding, power outages, damage or coastal erosion as of about 10:15 a.m. on Monday, the county's Emergency Management Director Clint Mecham said.
"It really is kind of a normal, rainy kind of blustery day," he said.
There's still reason for caution, though, with more rainfall is expected through Tuesday from Hurricane Debby's rain bands, Mecham said.
The county cleared garbage cans and other assets from beaches, but officials expect to put those things back Tuesday.
The county is also prepared to send resources to help parts of the state that were heavily impacted, Mecham said. That could include sending equipment and personnel to help with high-water rescues. So far, that hasn't happened.
"Everybody's kind of posturing and making those resources available should they be asked," Mecham said.
In Flagler, rough surf batters beach sand
Rough surf battered a walkover just north of the Flagler Beach pier on Sunday evening tearing off the end, which drifted north before grounding itself on the sand. Overnight rough surf also eroded the beach north of the pier, carving out a drop-off in the sand, forming a short cliff.
Worth Strecker, of Flagler Beach, was out looking at the waves thundering in on Monday morning.
“It’s eating away the coastline as we speak,” she said.
Another Flagler Beach resident, Jeff Dalzell, was also checking out the waves. He said he’s lived in Flagler Beach all his life.
“It’s not too bad. I’ve seen worse,” Dalzell said.
In case you missed it:Flagler Beach crews working on beach renourishment are watching storm system
There did not appear to be any street flooding in Flagler Beach as of Monday morning.
Flagler County had not received any reports of damage or flooding as of Monday morning, wrote Communications Coordinator Julie Murphy.
Cameron Skinner, a lifeguard with Flagler Beach Ocean Rescue, said he and another lifeguard got in the surf and found a strong current flowing north.
“We just wanted to check on the water conditions to see what it’s like, if some person were to jump in and swim what are the currents doing, what is it going to be like for them?”
He said it’s a bad day for a swim with the strong current to the north and rip currents.
“Everyone needs to kind of stay out of the water,” Skinner said.
How much rain, wind did Debby dump on Volusia over the weekend?
By Monday morning, the outer bands of Debby had delivered between ¾ of an inch and 1.5 inches of rain to areas throughout Volusia County, said Ulrich, the NWS meteorologist.
“Area-wise we expect to get an another 1 to 2 inches across Volusia County, though there may be some locally higher amounts.
“At this time, flooding is not a concern," Ulrich said.
In Daytona Beach, there were no reports of significant flooding or damage, according to city officials.
By Monday morning, Nova Canal remained at a normal operating level. The nearby Butts Pond was at or below a normal operating level.
"There was no damage to any city-owned facility; no closed roads that I’m aware of," said city spokeswoman Susan Cerbone. "No programs were canceled."
Only the tennis center and golf course were closed due to the weather, but both were expected to reopen on Tuesday, Cerbone said.
The city's utility and public works crews will continue to monitor storm drains.
A total of 2,570 sandbags were distributed by the city on Saturday at Bethune Point Park.
Daytona Beach Emergency Management is in contact with Volusia County Emergency Management and other state and federal emergency management and weather service agencies.
Nor were any storm-related issues reported in Deltona, according to Catherine Barker, spokeswoman for the City of Deltona.
"So far, so good,” Barker said. “Our lake levels are not a problem, but we continue to monitor the situation, especially with our public works guys on the ground."
In DeLand, city officials offered a similar assessment.
In DeBary, city officials continued to monitor the storm's impact, but reported no issues, said Shari Simmans, city spokeswoman.
On Monday, the forecast still called for 15-25 mph winds throughout the day, with gusts up to 40 mph or occasionally higher, said Ulrich, of the NWS. “ It will be a cloudy, damp, wet and windy day,” he said.
By Tuesday, the area is expected to return to its summer pattern of high temperatures and scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms, he said.
How will Debby affect weather in Volusia, Flagler?
Rain bands associated with Debby were expected to move across east central Florida, including Volusia and Flagler through Monday night, according to the NWS.
A trailing rain band is forecast to move acros the Interstate 4 corridor through the morning into the early afternoon, bringing locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds up to 45 to 55 mph.
Locally higher rainfall totals will result from rain bands repeatedly moving over the same locations. Generally, 2-4 inches of total rainfall are forecast across northern portions of east central Florida with locally higher amounts of up 6 to 8 inches possible.
These rainfall amounts, along with instances of higher rainfall rates, will be capable of producing flooding in low-lying and urban areas. Ponding of water on roadways may also lead to hazardous driving conditions.
Windy conditions are forecast Monday as Hurricane Debby moves onshore this morning. Rain bands and squalls associated with Debby will bring strong wind gusts up to 45 to 55 mph at times across east central Florida through Monday evening.
In addition to strong wind gusts, a few tornadoes embedded in rain bands are possible through Monday afternoon. The highest risk of tornadoes will continue across northern portions of east central Florida into the afternoon hours.
Too soon for Volusia-Flagler to let its guard down
Forecasters urge those in the area not to let their guard down, including in locations east of the current tropical storm watch. Impacts from this tropical cyclone will be experienced far from the center of the storm through the day today.
Do not drive through flooded roadways. Flood hazards can be especially difficult to discern at night. Turn around, don`t drown.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.
Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins.
Daytona weather radar
Power outages across Florida
News-Journal reporters Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, Sheldon Gardner, Frank Fernandez and Colleen Michele Jones contributed to this report.
