Debby aims for Lowndes
Published 3:02 pm Sunday, August 4, 2024
- A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 76th Fighter Generation Squadron prepares an A-10C Thunderbolt II for takeoff at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Aug. 4, 2024. A total of 23 A-10s and four HC-130J Combat King II aircraft were launched from Moody to Maxwell AFB, Alabama, to ride out the storm safely and away from any potentially damaging winds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leonid Soubbotine)
VALDOSTA — As Tropical Storm Debby churned in the Gulf of Mexico, Lowndes County officials watched and activated plans in preparation for its arrival.
Forecasts for the storm’s track strongly resembled the track of Hurricane Idalia, which hit the county in late August of last year.
On Sunday, multiple agencies announced they’d be closed on Monday to help ensure their employees and patrons would remain safe, including Valdosta City, Lowndes County and Echols County schools; Valwood School; and city and county government offices.
The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts closed Monday and postponed its Gallery Opening Reception to 5-7 p.m. Aug. 12.
Moody Air Force Base evacuated 23 A-10 Thunderbolt II and four HC-130J Combat King II aircraft Sunday for Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, to wait out the storm, and the remaining aircraft at Moody were safety stowed in protective hangars along the flightline, the base public affairs office said in a press release. The Air Force planned for the evacuated aircraft to return today once the storm has passed. The base was closed so airmen could shelter at home during the storm.
Meghan Barwick, public information officer for Lowndes County, said forecasts predicted sustained winds as high as 60 mph and gusts of 58-73 mph. The winds could start in the early morning hours in southern Lowndes County and continue until late Monday night. In fact, tropical storm-force gusts could continue sporadically through today, she said.
At this speed, winds have the potential to lift objects such as patio furniture, topple trees, break tree limbs, and damage roofs. Minor damage to mobile homes can also occur.
Lowndes County was expected to see widespread rainfall accumulation of 10-15 inches, with isolated amounts of up to 18 inches possible in locations where the heaviest bands pass over multiple times.
Due to concerns about its employees’ safety, The Valdosta Daily Times went to press early. More up-to-date information is available on our website at www.valdostadailytimes.com.
