AASHTO Journal - State DOTs Battle Impact of Hurricane Debby

Along the eastern seaboard, state departments of transportation battled the impact of Hurricane Debby – a Category 1 storm that made landfall on August 5 in Florida and then moved northward through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and into Virginia.

[Above photo by Florida DOT]

Initially making landfall with 75 mph winds and heavy rainfall, Hurricane Debby was eventually downgraded to a “tropical storm” as it inundated at least five states with several inches of rain.

The Florida Department of Transportation reported that Hurricane Debby caused minimal damage to the state’s transportation system. While that included some isolated areas of wind damage and localized flooding, the agency said in a statement that no major damage was reported for traffic signals on state roads.

The Florida DOT had 150 crews complete damage assessments on over 10,000 lane miles of state roads following the storm’s passage, with 181 agency crews completing “Cut & Toss” debris removal operations on 6,596 miles. State roadways are now clear except for inaccessible and flooded roadways, the Florida DOT said.

Overall, the agency deployed 1,200 generators, nearly 70 pumps, and more than 230 pieces of heavy equipment and trucks to conduct post-Debby clean-up operations – using drone teams deployed to waterways and a local dam to review water levels and any potential impacts.

Meanwhile, the Georgia Department of Transportation deployed 300 personnel, including immediate-response “strike teams,” to tackle the expected flooding in Southern and Southeastern Georgia due to the storm, with up to 20 inches in some areas.

The agency said in a statement it is focused on clean-up and reopening operations first for interstate and then state routes, with highest priority given to hospital routes and other essential public services.

Crews in Georgia DOT’s Districts 4, 5 and 2 continue to respond to incidents of downed trees, flooding, and blocked roads to ensure routes are passable and safe for motorists — coordinating with local first responders and utility companies to clear debris and downed power lines from roadways.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation also continues to respond to impacts of Debby while also monitoring the forecast and preparing for additional heavy rainfall. As of August 7, the agency said there are closures on approximately 83 state-maintained roadways, primarily in South Carolina Lowcountry susceptible to flooding.

The agency added that it has implemented 24 hour operation, with approximately 2,300 personnel mobilized for storm response and working around the clock through the week to clear drainage structures, place barricades, and remove downed trees and debris from roadways.

“We do anticipate some additional road closures as this event continues,” noted Justin Powell, SCDOT’s secretary, in a statement.

“Based on the current forecast we do not anticipate a need for transportation lifeline protection measures similar to those taken in 2018 during Hurricane Florence,” he added. “However, we are closely monitoring the forecast and we are ready to respond to whatever the storm may bring.”

Concurrently, the North Carolina Department of Transportation readied over 2,200 employees for storm response, along with equipment and vehicles, including about 1,500 chainsaws and trucks, and nearly 600 backhoes, graders and front-end loaders.

“We’re expecting a lot of rain from Debby that could cause flooding and make traveling dangerous,” explained NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins in a statement.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) declared a state of emergency early in the week to help speed up preparations for the storm’s arrival; a storm expected to deliver up to 15 inches of rain in some parts of the state.

“We expect this storm to continue its slow, gradual approach, bringing multiple days of heavy rainfall and the potential for widespread and severe flash flooding,” the governor said in a statement.

The Virginia Department of Transportation also prepared for the impact of Debby, which began affecting much of the state August 6 and 7, with its highway crews inspecting drainage facilities and clearing them where necessary, plus readying trucks and equipment – putting debris and tree removal crews on standby.

Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, with significant rainfall and flooding across the entire state expected to cause transportation difficulties and power outages.

“There is the potential for strong winds, heavy rains, and possible flooding across regions of the Commonwealth,” the governor said in a statement. “It’s crucial that we work together and remain vigilant during these times to minimize the impact of the storm [as] the effects of Debby are far-reaching, and our neighboring states are facing significant challenges.”