LIVE: Governor McMaster gives update on state's response to Tropical Storm Debby

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will give an update Tuesday afternoon on the state’s response to Tropical Storm Debby, as the effects of the storm continue to increase.

McMaster will make his remarks Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the South Carolina Emergency Operation Center in West Columbia. News19 will have coverage of his remarks when they begin both on-air and on all of our digital platforms, including our website, our news app, the WLTX + streaming app, and our YouTube page.

Tropical Storm Debby’s bands of rain began moving into South Carolina early Tuesday morning. Already much of the Midlands has experienced bouts of heavy rain and some flash flooding. The rain is expected to ramp up over the next day and the rains won’t stop until late Thursday night or Friday morning. 

The state is already under a state of emergency that was issued by McMaster on Sunday, and on Monday, President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for the state.  A state of emergency allows the state to better coordinate with first responders. The state’s emergency operations plan also is now enabled and their center in West Columbia is being staffed 24 hours a day. 

Meanwhile, the state’s emergency management agency said residents in South Carolina who have questions about Tropical Storm Debby can now call the state’s toll-free hotline. Operators with the State’s Public Information Phone System are available 24 hours a day for as long as needed.  If you have questions about Tropical Storm Debby, such as about the state’s response or safety precautions you should take, call this hotline: 1-866-246-0133.