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What we know so far about Hurricane Florence What we know so far about Hurricane Florence
(3 months later)
Hurricane Florence is expected to pack a potentially life-threatening punch as it continues to crawl along the US east coast.Hurricane Florence is expected to pack a potentially life-threatening punch as it continues to crawl along the US east coast.
Here’s the latest on the first major storm of America’s 2018 hurricane season:Here’s the latest on the first major storm of America’s 2018 hurricane season:
How bad is it?How bad is it?
On Friday, Florence was driving maximum sustained winds of 80mph, according to an updated forecast from the National Hurricane Center (NHC). That’s down from a high of 140mph, but still expected to cause “life-threatening storm surges” and “catastrophic freshwater flooding” over parts of North and South Carolina. The hurricane was downgraded late on Thursday night to a category 1 hurricane.On Friday, Florence was driving maximum sustained winds of 80mph, according to an updated forecast from the National Hurricane Center (NHC). That’s down from a high of 140mph, but still expected to cause “life-threatening storm surges” and “catastrophic freshwater flooding” over parts of North and South Carolina. The hurricane was downgraded late on Thursday night to a category 1 hurricane.
Where is it?Where is it?
The hurricane made landfall around 7.15am on Friday near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. As of 11am, it was centered about 20 miles south-west of Wilmington, North Carolina, and 55 miles north-east of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was crawling along at just 3mph, meaning it could linger for another whole day over coastal North and South Carolina.The hurricane made landfall around 7.15am on Friday near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. As of 11am, it was centered about 20 miles south-west of Wilmington, North Carolina, and 55 miles north-east of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was crawling along at just 3mph, meaning it could linger for another whole day over coastal North and South Carolina.
Storm tracker: follow where Hurricane Florence is headingStorm tracker: follow where Hurricane Florence is heading
Storm tracker: follow where Hurricane Florence is headingStorm tracker: follow where Hurricane Florence is heading
When and where will it hit?When and where will it hit?
Powerful winds and rain have already arrived, causing collapsed roofs and other damage in spots including Morehead City and New Bern, North Carolina. In New Bern, rescuers saved more than 200 people from rising waters but at least 150 more were believed to be stranded in homes or cars, awaiting help as storm surges reached 10ft.Powerful winds and rain have already arrived, causing collapsed roofs and other damage in spots including Morehead City and New Bern, North Carolina. In New Bern, rescuers saved more than 200 people from rising waters but at least 150 more were believed to be stranded in homes or cars, awaiting help as storm surges reached 10ft.
What damage will it cause?What damage will it cause?
Heavy flooding is expected, with a storm surge up to 11ft (4 metres) in the area from Cape Fear to Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Massive rainfall is predicted, with an additional 20-25in expected to fall in coastal areas of the Carolinas and up to 40in in isolated areas. “This rainfall will produce catastrophic flash flooding and prolonged significant river flooding,” the NHC said. Areas further from the coast could see 5-15in of rain. Rainfall totals exceeding 14in have already been reported at several locations across south-eastern North Carolina.Heavy flooding is expected, with a storm surge up to 11ft (4 metres) in the area from Cape Fear to Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Massive rainfall is predicted, with an additional 20-25in expected to fall in coastal areas of the Carolinas and up to 40in in isolated areas. “This rainfall will produce catastrophic flash flooding and prolonged significant river flooding,” the NHC said. Areas further from the coast could see 5-15in of rain. Rainfall totals exceeding 14in have already been reported at several locations across south-eastern North Carolina.
From Maria to Florence: are hurricanes getting worse?
How many people will it affect?How many people will it affect?
About 5.25 million people live in areas under hurricane warnings or watches, and 4.9 million more live in places covered by tropical storm warnings or watches, according to the National Weather Service. More than 1.7 million people in the Carolinas and Virginia were warned to evacuate, though it was unclear how many actually left. Duke Energy, the leading power supplier in the area, said Florence could knock out electricity to 3 million of its 4 million customers in the Carolinas, and power outages could last for weeks.About 5.25 million people live in areas under hurricane warnings or watches, and 4.9 million more live in places covered by tropical storm warnings or watches, according to the National Weather Service. More than 1.7 million people in the Carolinas and Virginia were warned to evacuate, though it was unclear how many actually left. Duke Energy, the leading power supplier in the area, said Florence could knock out electricity to 3 million of its 4 million customers in the Carolinas, and power outages could last for weeks.
If you have been affected by Florence you can tell us about your experience using our encrypted form, or by sending your pictures and videos to the Guardian securely via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056.If you have been affected by Florence you can tell us about your experience using our encrypted form, or by sending your pictures and videos to the Guardian securely via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056.
We will feature some of your contributions in our reporting.We will feature some of your contributions in our reporting.
Though we’d like to hear from you, your safety and security is most important. When responding please make sure you put your safety and the safety of others first. Extreme weather events can be very unpredictable and carry very real risksThough we’d like to hear from you, your safety and security is most important. When responding please make sure you put your safety and the safety of others first. Extreme weather events can be very unpredictable and carry very real risks
What else is in its path?What else is in its path?
Florence has sparked fears of an environmental disaster, because its path is lined with hog manure pits, coal ash dumps and other industrial sites, as well as six nuclear power plants. Also in the path is the town of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, near the site of the world’s first airplane flight and home to the Wright Brothers national memorial.Florence has sparked fears of an environmental disaster, because its path is lined with hog manure pits, coal ash dumps and other industrial sites, as well as six nuclear power plants. Also in the path is the town of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, near the site of the world’s first airplane flight and home to the Wright Brothers national memorial.
Hurricane FlorenceHurricane Florence
Natural disasters and extreme weatherNatural disasters and extreme weather
North CarolinaNorth Carolina
South CarolinaSouth Carolina
VirginiaVirginia
analysisanalysis
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