Tropical Storm Debby moves out of Florida

Tropical Storm Debby is finally exiting Florida, leaving behind substantial damage and flooding.

Travel Insurance News - 28/06/2012

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Tropical Storm Debby is finally exiting Florida, leaving behind substantial damage and flooding.

The slow-moving low-pressure system began moving out of the popular tourist state on Wednesday after pounding the sub-tropical region with heavy rains for more than four days. The system is now heading north and east and has been downgraded to a tropical depression.

The storm lacked severe winds associated with many tropical systems though was particularly packed with soaking rains, which were most prevalent in the northern areas of the state, particularly the region known as The Panhandle, which contains the state capital of Tallahassee.

Florida Division of Emergency Management director Bryan Koon said that 10 rivers had reached moderate or severe flooding levels, damaging hundreds of houses and damaging a major section of Interstate 10, the primary east-west route through northern Florida. The storm also caused serious erosion to beach areas popular with both tourists and nesting sea turtles.

Mr Koon said damage assessors would begin working on Friday and that many rivers still have yet to crest and will do so in the next several days or even weeks.

Meanwhile, Florida governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency early in the week and continues to visit many of the hardest hit areas.

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