Quick Update On Hurricane Florence

FLORENCE IS EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN FURTHER TODAY
As of the latest update from the National Hurricane Center as of 10:00 am this morning, Florence is still a category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 MPH and a minimum central pressure of 950 MB (28.06 inches). Forward motion at this point is at 16 MPH towards the west-northwest. Hurricane-force winds stretch out up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend out up to 150 miles.

A Hurricane Watch has been issued from Edisto Beach, SC, up to the NC/VA border, along with Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for the same locations.

The latest forecast track has been adjusted slightly northward up the coast more into North Carolina, but nearly all of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina will feel the effects from Florence. Slow strengthening is expected to occur today and tomorrow, but some weakening will occur before landfall. With that being said, Florence is still expected to be a major hurricane at landfall on Friday.

Life-threatening surf and rip currents are being generated by Hurricane Florence and affecting the US Atlantic Coast and the island of Bermuda.

Storm surge along with tides will cause normally dry areas near the coastline to be flooded by rising water. Some places could see surge totals as high as 6-12 feet above dry ground, especially for Cape Fear to Cape Lookout (including The Neuse and Pamlico River). Cape Lookout to Ocracoke Inlet could see surge totals up to 5-8 feet, Cape Fear to Murrells Inlet up to 4-6 feet, Ocracoke Inlet to the NC/VA state line up to 3-5 feet, and Murrells Inlet to Edisto Beach up to 2-4 feet above dry ground.

Along with flooding caused by storm surge, life-threatening freshwater flooding is likely from prolonged and extremely heavy rainfall from Florence lingering over the same areas for several days, especially inland over the Carolinas and up to VA and WV. Expected totals will be around 15-20 inches with isolated amounts up to and possibly over 30 inches near Florence’s track. Catastrophic flash flooding and river flooding is possible starting late this week through the weekend and into early next week.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to start in the Hurricane Watch areas on Thursday morning and will continue to deteriorate throughout the day. Hurricane conditions will be likely by Thursday evening.

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