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The remnants of Tropical Storm Debby will lift north across the Mid-Atlantic region this week and into the weekend, bringing the potential for heavy rain.

Officials with the National Weather Service Office in Wakefield, VA predict 4-6 inches across much of the Roanoke-Chowan area from Wednesday through Saturday. There will be higher amounts (6-to-8 inches) in counties south and west of the local area, and even higher amounts (10+ inches) possible in the southeastern and south central parts of North Carolina. If all possible, avoid traveling to those areas over the next few days.

Exact rainfall amounts will be dependent on the eventual track of Debby.

Emergency Management directors in the Roanoke-Chowan region say low-lying areas that typically flood during weather-related events are the ones that will be impacted the most by Tropical Storm Debby. They encourage those living in those areas to keep a close eye on the forecast as well as having weather warning alerts downloaded to their cell phones.

Scattered to numerous instances of flash flooding and elevated rivers are possible, beginning Wednesday afternoon into Saturday. NWS officials say the Meherrin and Nottoway Rivers and the lower Roanoke River Basin have the highest probability of seeing minor to potentially moderate flooding from the upcoming rainfall.

Meanwhile there is a limited potential for tropical storm force wind gusts beginning Thursday, mainly across the Atlantic coastal waters and areas along the adjacent immediate Atlantic coast.

The National Hurricane Center stated in their Tuesday discussion that “Debby is expected to produce potentially historic rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches, with maximum amounts of 25 inches, bringing areas of catastrophic flooding across portions of southeast Georgia, the eastern half of South Carolina, and southeast North Carolina through Friday.”

Visit hurricanes.gov for latest updates on Tropical Storm Debby.

On Monday afternoon, Governor Roy Cooper signed an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency ahead of severe weather expected across North Carolina.

The Governor and NC Emergency Management officials are urging North Carolinians to be safe and cautious during heavy rainfall and winds, and to expect flooding and power outages as a strong weather system will impact the state starting Tuesday through the end of the week. Damaging winds and saturated soils might also lead to blown down trees and power lines, causing possible scattered to widespread power outages.

State officials advise these tips to make sure your family is personally prepared:

Have multiple ways to receive emergency info, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your cell phone and download a weather app.

Have an emergency plan. Know where you would go if you need to evacuate. Make a plan to stay with family, friends or at a hotel. Public shelters should be a last resort.

Gather some emergency supplies or refresh your emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit.

Never drive through flooded roadways or around barricades.

Make sure you know where to seek shelter if a tornado warning is issued for your area.

Ensure that you have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially with the potential for severe storms to be moving through during nighttime hours.

Check to see if your community offers emergency alert services for its residents.

Avoid unnecessary travel.

North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler on Monday noted that Cooper’s order directed the Department of Public Safety to temporarily suspend weighing vehicles used to transport livestock, poultry, feed and crops in the state.

“This Executive Order will allow our farmers the opportunity to harvest as much of their crops as they can before the storm hits and will help ensure that livestock, poultry, crops and feed can be moved as needed. The order also temporarily suspends the maximum hours of service for drivers,” Troxler said.

State Attorney General Josh Stein announced Monday that the price gouging law is in effect after Gov. Roy Cooper declared a statewide state of emergency in anticipation of Tropical Storm Debby.

North Carolina’s law against price gouging, or charging too much in times of a crisis, goes into effect when the governor or the legislature declares a state of emergency. In some cases, businesses and industries that are heavily impacted by the incident causing the state of emergency have a reasonable need to increase prices in order to resupply, but they should disclose these increases so people can make informed purchasing decisions. Businesses cannot, however, unreasonably raise the price of goods or services to profit from a state of emergency.

Report potential price gouging by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or by filing a complaint at https://ncdoj.gov/pricegouging.