Tropical storm warnings were in effect for parts of Florida as the storm parked offshore. A tropical storm warning for the coast of Alabama was discontinued early Monday. Yet even with the storm's center far from land, it lashed Florida with heavy rains and spawned isolated tornadoes that killed at least one person. Another person was missing in rough surf off Alabama.
Residents in several counties near the crook of Florida's elbow were urged to leave low-lying neighborhoods because of the threat of flooding. The storm is moving slowly, allowing its clouds more time to unload rain.
'Heavy rain'High winds forced the closure of an interstate bridge that spans Tampa Bay and links St. Petersburg with areas to the southeast. In several locations, homes and businesses were damaged by high winds authorities believe were from tornadoes.
"Locally heavy rain and flooding will impact much of Florida and southeast Georgia into Monday," weather.com reported. "Portions of northern Florida and southeast Georgia could see 6 to 12 inches of rain."
Weather.com severe weather expert Dr. Greg Forbes warned that Debby could spawn isolated tornadoes in Florida through Monday.
Tropical storm warnings and watches were posted along portions of the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coasts. "Tropical-storm force winds (40 mph or higher) are possible in these areas," weather.com added. "Storm surge flooding is also a significant threat along the Florida Panhandle coast and the western coast of Florida since Debby's circulation is embedded in a rather large wind field."
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