Will Hurricane Debby Damage MA? See What Forecasts Predict

MASSACHUSETTS — Tropical Storm Debby is marching toward the Northeast, and could mean flash flooding for parts of New England, including western and central Massachusetts.

The National Weather Service's National Hurricane Center on Wednesday morning said that the core of the remnants of Debby could hit Massachusetts around 2 a.m. Saturday, but rain will likely begin Friday evening. The main threat from the storm is heavy rain, with the potential for flash flooding rated as "slight" for a portion of the state between Worcester County and the Berkshires.

Under that rating, scattered flash floods have about a 15 percent chance of happening, particularly in urban areas. The rest of Massachusetts has a marginal chance of flash flooding, about 5 percent.

Almost the entire state of Vermont is under a higher "moderate" chance of flash floods. Communities in the northeastern part of the state have been devastated in recent weeks by floods coupled with heavy rain.

"While the heaviest rains associated with Debby's passage are likely to be west of southern New England, heavy rainfall capable of scattered instances of flooding are possible in the interior. Lesser rainfall amounts and potential flooding are anticipated for eastern areas," the National Weather Service Boston office said in a Wednesday forecast.

The weather service also said forecasters will be watching for waterspouts and tornadoes as the storm recirculates to the north and west of the area on Saturday. The weather service said the probability for tornadoes is low.

At least six people have died due to the storm, five of them in traffic accidents or from fallen trees. The sixth death involved a 48-year-old man in Gulfport, Florida, whose body was recovered after his anchored sailboat partially sank, WTSP-TV reported.

Earlier this week, close to a foot of rain fell down-coast from Charleston to Savannah, where the National Weather Service reported 6.68 inches on Monday. That’s already a month’s worth in a single day: In all of August 2023, the city got 5.56 inches.

Saturday will likely be pretty rainy across Massachusetts, according to early forecasts. But expect the sun and pleasant temperatures in the high 70s by Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed reporting to this article.