BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – As Tropical Storm Debby moves offshore the Georgia coast and over the Atlantic, its impacts can already be felt in the Lowcountry.
From heavy rain storms to strong winds, several Moncks Corner businesses sustained overnight damage from Mother Nature.
The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in Moncks Corner.
“We are still in the process of determining its EF-rating and path,” the NWS posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.
Several vehicles were flipped over at TruAuto of Moncks Corner on U.S. Hwy. 52.
Next to the dealership is Arby’s, which sustained significant damage. Windows were blown out and the strong winds carried some of the dining room into the parking lot.
According to one witness, “It looked like a bomb went off inside the restaurant.”
Across the street from the Arby’s, Applebee’s also sustained wind damage. Several light poles were blown over and multiple trees were knocked down. Gusty winds also destroyed the restaurant’s signage.
Strong winds also damaged the nearby Walmart, resulting in multiple fallen trees and broken store windows.
Berkeley County remains under a tornado watch until 5 p.m. Tuesday. The National Weather Service in Charleston has also extended the flash flood warning for the county until 4 p.m. Tuesday.
According to the NWS, Debby will make landfall along the South Carolina coast on Thursday. This slow motion will result in a prolonged period of significant impact across the area.
“A combination of fresh water flooding and storm surge will produce coastal inundation of 2 to 4 feet along the southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina coast, especially today through Thursday,” the National Weather Service reports.
“Tropical storm force wind impacts and a few tornadoes are also possible during this time, with highest
chances across coastal areas.”
At 11:53 a.m., doppler radar indicated bands of moderate to heavy rainfall moving across northern portions of Berkeley and upper Charleston Counties. As much as 3 to 8 inches of rain has fallen and an additional 2 to 4 inches of rain could fall through early afternoon.
Berkeley County Emergency Management recently reported several road closures due to flash flooding with water approaching the tops of porches of homes in some areas.
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