COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – As Hurricane Debby brings surging storm impacts to South Carolina, it’s important for you to be prepared.

Hurricane Debby made landfall on the Big Bend coast of Florida early Monday morning. Forecasters believe the hurricane has the potential to bring heavy rains, flooding and gusty winds to communities in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

While coastal communities will likely be visited with more severe weather, Debby is expected to affect the Midlands as well.

Current projections show northern Midlands counties like Newberry, Saluda and Fairfield counties could receive between five to seven inches of rain while counties closer to the coast like Orangeburg and Clarendon counties could receive between seven and ten inches.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency in preparation for Hurricane Debby on Sunday. He asked South Carolinians to monitor local forecasts and begin taking proper precautions.

WIS News 10′s First Alert Weather team has developed a timeline for Debby’s development throughout the week and how it will affect the Midlands.

Flooding preparation

One effective measure for combatting potential flooding is using sandbags.

Sandbags act as a barrier, preventing water from moving into buildings. While they do not guarantee a water-tight seal, they can be an effective tool in avoiding flood damage. They can be used to fill holes, hold objects in position and form barriers when backed by supportive planks.

The State Emergency Service (SES) states sandbags can get heavy, weighing between 33 to 44 pounds when filled properly, so you might need at least two people to lay them safely. When preparing sandbags, you should only fill them two-thirds full to allow the sand inside to shift inside the bag, lie flat and move to fill gaps, according to SES.

When stacking sandbags, SES encourages you to lay them like bricks, offsetting the rows so the gaps between the bags are staggered.

Sandbags are available for purchase at many hardware, landscaping or garden supply stories.

Orangeburg County officials announced Monday morning they are offering free sandbag pickup for residents at various locations.

Another important aspect of potential flooding is the effect it could have on drivers. For those forced to travel through storms this week, it’s important to prepare your vehicles for driving through water.

Officials recommend drivers stay towards the center of the road during a flood where water tends to be the most shallow.

Drivers are also encouraged to travel slowly and in low gear. Drying your brakes by lightly tapping them while driving slow can help ensure your vehicle doesn’t spin out.

Outage concerns

With severe storms comes the potential for outages, so several electric companies have begun to prepare for potential effects.

South Carolina electric provider Dominion Energy began cutting down more trees near power lines over the weekend to prepare for Hurricane Debby. Dominion spokesman Matt Long said fallen trees are the number one cause that contributes to outages.

If you are a Dominion customer who experiences an outage, you can report it through the Dominion Energy App or by calling 800-815-0083.

Power outages can disrupt communications, water and transportation. They can also cause food spoilage and prevent the usage of medical devices.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security encourages some tips for preparing for a potential outage:

• Take an inventory of items you need that rely on electricity.
• Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs.
• Have flashlights for every household member.
• Know how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for medications that are critical for life.
• Have enough nonperishable food and water.
• Use coolers with ice if necessary.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment or electronics during an outage. When power returns, it could momentarily spike/surge and cause damage.

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An elementary school in South Carolina is facing backlash after pictures of staff in “Border Patrol” T-shirts surfaced on the district’s Facebook page.

The Royall Elementary School staff who were featured in the photos have since been fired or placed on administrative leave, according to a letter sent out by Florence 1 Schools Superintendent Dr. Richard O’Malley.

Florence 1 Schools posted the images, which have since been taken down, with two staff members wearing gray “Border Patrol” T-shirts during a Hispanic heritage celebration event held on Wednesday.

Another image posted on the school’s social media page showed staff members wearing sombreros and other attire and standing in front of a red brick wall with a “Royall Cantina” sign. 

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O’Malley acknowledged the controversial photo and issued a statement saying that an investigation into the situation was underway.

“I was notified by my staff of an inappropriate social media post on one of our school’s Facebook accounts. What was posted, and the conduct of the staff involved, is inexcusable and not a representation of the school, its students and staff, or of our district as a whole,” O’Malley wrote.

“Today this matter has been thoroughly investigated and those who contributed to this event have been held accountable for their decision-making and actions. There is no room for anything of this nature in our schools and I will not tolerate it in our school district.” — Dr. Richard O’Malley, Superintendent, Florence 1 Schools

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O’Malley also issued a letter to all parents of the school district and shared it with Fox News Digital.

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An unknown number of Royall Elementary employees have either been fired or placed on administrative leave after an “inappropriate” picture taken during a Hispanic heritage celebration was posted to its Facebook page, Florence 1 Schools Superintendent Richard O’Malley said Friday. (WPDE)

“Dear Royall Parents and Guardians, As you may be aware, an inappropriate event occurred Wednesday morning during a Professional Development day at Royall, prior to the first day of school. Subsequently, pictures of the event were posted on the school’s Facebook page. I wanted to inform you that, due to the serious nature of this incident, several employees are no longer employed by the district or have been placed on leave by the district’s administration. As superintendent, I will not tolerate anything of this nature in our school district,” the letter reads.

O’Malley added that the district’s assistant superintendent of elementary education and its STEM director would serve as “acting administrators.”

An image on the school’s social media page showed staff members at Royall Elementary School wearing sombreros and other attire. (WPDE)

Royall Elementary School issued its own statement, acknowledging the images and apologizing for the “insensitivity.” 

“It is with regret that we acknowledge that a picture that was posted on our Facebook page yesterday showed an insensitive disregard for the current challenges our Hispanic population faces. At Royall, we take great pride in our long-standing tradition of embracing and supporting every student who walks through the doors of our building. Our staff is unanimously committed to celebrating the diversity of our families and ensuring that each and every student at Royall is successful, happy, and recognized for his or her unique culture and abilities. We apologize for our insensitivity but look forward to fostering relationships as we begin a new school year.” — Royall Elementary School

The comments have been turned off on the school’s apology post on Facebook. 

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., issued a warning to former President Trump to focus on Vice President Harris’ bad judgment instead of her heritage as he runs for a second term in the Oval Office.

Graham was a guest on “Fox News Sunday” where Fox’s Jacqui Heinrich asked him about Trump’s comments about Harris’ racial identity.

“So, here’s what I would say to President Trump. The problem I have with Kamala Harris is not her heritage, it’s her judgment,” Graham said. “She has been wrong about everything. When she tried to explain what she would do about inflation and an upcoming recession, it made no sense. It’s gibberish.”

This week, Trump posted an image of Harris’ birth certificate on Truth Social after receiving a lot of criticism for remarks he made during a Q&A session at the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago on Wednesday.

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“She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage,” the former president said during the Q&A. “I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now, she wants to be known as Black. So, I don’t know. Is she Indian or is she Black?”

Heinrich asked Graham about Trump’s comments and asked if it alienated millions of Black voters, including from his state of South Carolina.

The senator said 30% of his state is African American, adding that former Gov. Nikki Haley is of Indian heritage, and one of her children married an African-American football player who attended Clemson University.

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Former President Trump attended the NABJ convention on Wednesday, where he answered tough questions from prominent Black journalists. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

“Every day we’re talking about her heritage and not her terrible, dangerous liberal record throughout her entire political life. It’s a good day for her and a bad day for us,” Graham said. “So, I would encourage President Trump to prosecute the case against Kamala Harris’ bad judgment.”

Graham also sent a message to Trump on the show that it was his election to lose.

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“It’s important you win to reset a broken border and get the world in good order,” he said. “The American people are looking to have their problems solved. I think your presidency was an incredible presidency for national security and prosperity.”