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Hurricane Florence: Carolinas brace for 'storm of lifetime' – live updates Hurricane Florence: Carolinas brace for 'storm of lifetime' – live updates
(35 minutes later)
What sort of water levels might we see?
A buoy off the North Carolina coast has recorded waves nearly 30 feet (9 meters) high as Florence churned toward shore.
Forecasters said conditions will deteriorate as the storm pushes ashore early Friday near the North Carolina-South Carolina line and makes its way slowly inland.
Its surge could cover all but a sliver of the Carolina coast under as much as 11 feet (3.4m) of ocean water, and days of downpours could unload more than 3 feet (0.9m) of rain, causing severe flooding.
Striking images from the Weather Channel show the impact of the storm surge on a town in North Carolina.Striking images from the Weather Channel show the impact of the storm surge on a town in North Carolina.
Despite the fact the storm has been downgraded to category 1, catastrophic rainfall is still expected.Despite the fact the storm has been downgraded to category 1, catastrophic rainfall is still expected.
Significant storm-surge flooding is already inundating New Bern, North Carolina, as of this evening. Here's the latest on #Florence: https://t.co/fo9dYfhUD2 pic.twitter.com/kiuwURvXhnSignificant storm-surge flooding is already inundating New Bern, North Carolina, as of this evening. Here's the latest on #Florence: https://t.co/fo9dYfhUD2 pic.twitter.com/kiuwURvXhn
Hurricane Florence has weakened to a Category 1 stormHurricane Florence has weakened to a Category 1 storm
Little change in strength expected before it moves inland on Friday, according to the US national hurricane centerLittle change in strength expected before it moves inland on Friday, according to the US national hurricane center
Florence is about 60 miles (95 km) east-southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 kph)Florence is about 60 miles (95 km) east-southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 kph)
More significant weakening was expected over the weekend and into early next week while Florence moves inlandMore significant weakening was expected over the weekend and into early next week while Florence moves inland
Despite the slowing of the storm, life-threatening storm surges and hurricane-force winds are occurring along the North Carolina coast, with the threat of freshwater flooding seen increasing over the next several daysDespite the slowing of the storm, life-threatening storm surges and hurricane-force winds are occurring along the North Carolina coast, with the threat of freshwater flooding seen increasing over the next several days
The National Weather Service said that between 20 and 40 inches of rainfall was predicted to fall in some areas, and warned that they “cannot overstate the threat of catastrophic flooding this storm will bring”The National Weather Service said that between 20 and 40 inches of rainfall was predicted to fall in some areas, and warned that they “cannot overstate the threat of catastrophic flooding this storm will bring”
The number of people affected by power outages in North Carolina has increased to more than 102,000, according to Emergency Management North Carolina.The number of people affected by power outages in North Carolina has increased to more than 102,000, according to Emergency Management North Carolina.
More than 130 shelters currently operating in North CarolinaMore than 130 shelters currently operating in North Carolina
Our reporters Oliver Laughland and Adam Gabbatt are in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where they have been speaking to people who have evacuated their homes.Our reporters Oliver Laughland and Adam Gabbatt are in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where they have been speaking to people who have evacuated their homes.
We’re still a few hours from feeling the full force of #florence here in Myrtle Beach, so @adamgabbatt and me spoke to Rocky & David, some evacuated residents staying at our hotel: (cc @MsKateLyons) pic.twitter.com/8rIOeTUt3TWe’re still a few hours from feeling the full force of #florence here in Myrtle Beach, so @adamgabbatt and me spoke to Rocky & David, some evacuated residents staying at our hotel: (cc @MsKateLyons) pic.twitter.com/8rIOeTUt3T
The east coast braces for Florence – in picturesThe east coast braces for Florence – in pictures
Hurricane Florence has been downgraded to a category 1 storm off the North Carolina coast, with maximum sustained winds dropping to 90 mph (150km/h), according to the National Hurricane Center.Hurricane Florence has been downgraded to a category 1 storm off the North Carolina coast, with maximum sustained winds dropping to 90 mph (150km/h), according to the National Hurricane Center.
Well, this is catchy.Well, this is catchy.
We know it's been a long night and will likely be a long weekend for a lot of you. So we wanted to pass along an important safety message - one that will be very important for you in the coming days - in a fun way. Enjoy. 🎶🎶🎵🎵🎶#HurricaneFlorence pic.twitter.com/Xo6uIefC53We know it's been a long night and will likely be a long weekend for a lot of you. So we wanted to pass along an important safety message - one that will be very important for you in the coming days - in a fun way. Enjoy. 🎶🎶🎵🎵🎶#HurricaneFlorence pic.twitter.com/Xo6uIefC53
A North Carolina TV news station has evacuated its building due to rising waters from Hurricane Florence.A North Carolina TV news station has evacuated its building due to rising waters from Hurricane Florence.
New Bern’s WCTI-TV NewsChannel 12 posted on Facebook on Thursday night that employees had to abandon the studio for the “first time in history.”New Bern’s WCTI-TV NewsChannel 12 posted on Facebook on Thursday night that employees had to abandon the studio for the “first time in history.”
A spokesperson for the ABC affiliate said that roads around the building were flooding.A spokesperson for the ABC affiliate said that roads around the building were flooding.
New Bern is a city along the Neuse River and is near the Atlantic coast, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northeast of Wilmington.New Bern is a city along the Neuse River and is near the Atlantic coast, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northeast of Wilmington.
The station said on Facebook that it was broadcasting its sister station WPDE-TV’s coverage of the storm.The station said on Facebook that it was broadcasting its sister station WPDE-TV’s coverage of the storm.
On air meteorologists in New Bern casually explaining the building has been evacuated due to Florence’s storm surge but they’re sticking around to stay on air and inform the public pic.twitter.com/bOaaM8eP8nOn air meteorologists in New Bern casually explaining the building has been evacuated due to Florence’s storm surge but they’re sticking around to stay on air and inform the public pic.twitter.com/bOaaM8eP8n
The National Weather Service branch in Newport/Morehead City, which is on the coast of North Carolina and bracing for the full impact of the hurricane, has shared a video of furious rain outside their office early tonight.The National Weather Service branch in Newport/Morehead City, which is on the coast of North Carolina and bracing for the full impact of the hurricane, has shared a video of furious rain outside their office early tonight.
Outside the NWS Newport/Morehead City at 930 pm. pic.twitter.com/tErYVLRYQdOutside the NWS Newport/Morehead City at 930 pm. pic.twitter.com/tErYVLRYQd
The North Carolina Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has evacuated several thousand adult and juvenile offenders and staff from facilities threatened by the effects of Hurricane Florence.The North Carolina Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has evacuated several thousand adult and juvenile offenders and staff from facilities threatened by the effects of Hurricane Florence.
More than 3,000 offenders have been relocated from facilities in the path of Hurricane Florence. Four county jails have also been evacuated with more than 300 offenders housed temporarily in state facilities.More than 3,000 offenders have been relocated from facilities in the path of Hurricane Florence. Four county jails have also been evacuated with more than 300 offenders housed temporarily in state facilities.
A news release from the division Wednesday said all adult offenders affected by the move will be allowed to make a free phone call to a family member over the weekend.A news release from the division Wednesday said all adult offenders affected by the move will be allowed to make a free phone call to a family member over the weekend.
The division said leaders made the decision earlier in the week to evacuate three juvenile detention centers and relocate inmates to inland facilities within the system. Officials said 26 youth were moved and their families notified.The division said leaders made the decision earlier in the week to evacuate three juvenile detention centers and relocate inmates to inland facilities within the system. Officials said 26 youth were moved and their families notified.
The news release said all offenders will be moved back to the affected facilities once the storm subsides and it’s deemed safe for operations to continue.The news release said all offenders will be moved back to the affected facilities once the storm subsides and it’s deemed safe for operations to continue.
The number of people affected by power outages in North Carolina has increased to more than 102,000, according to Emergency Management North Carolina.
The areas most affected are Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Onslow and Pamlico.
More information about power outages, as well as road conditions and evacuation routes can be found here.
The governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper, has urged people to share a list of shelters that are open across the state. There are more than 130 shelters currently operating in North Carolina, most of which have been set up in schools. That list can be seen here.
RETWEET THIS: Shelters are continuing to open across North Carolina. An updated list of shelters can be found here: https://t.co/QbQMXXCFYh pic.twitter.com/du2sVnpjp3
The Weather Channel has put green screen to pretty extraordinary use, as they attempt to show what it could look like for people who encounter floodwater reaching nine feet, as is predicted in some areas.
The good stuff begins 40 seconds into the video, skip ahead to that.
Storm surge will be a huge factor for Hurricane #Florence Check out what it might look like with @TWCErikaNavarro: pic.twitter.com/TPqTZTmiAM
A tornado warning has been issued for parts of North Carolina until 7am EDT Friday.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of North Carolina until 7 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/i3efeVAbCy
This is Kate Lyons, taking over from Sam Levin.
The National Weather Service are reporting that, as was the case with Hurricane Harvey last year, so much rain is predicted to fall as a result of Florence that they have to use an updated colour scheme in their rainfall graphic.
Last year, so much rain fell during Hurricane Harvey, which caused catastrophic flooding across Houston, that the NWS had to update their colour charts in their graphics to map it effectively, adding a bright purple to show 20-30 inches of rainfall, and a lilac colour to indicate greater than 30 inches.
Previously, the top band of rainfall shown in their graphics was 15-20 inches, represented by a dark purple.
The NWS have said that they have been forced to use this updated colour scheme again as “Florence is forecast to bring a large area of rainfall of 20-40 inches” to both North and South Carolina. They add that the threat of catastrophic flooding from Florence cannot be overstated.
(The top image in the tweet below is forecast rainfall as a result of Florence, the bottom two images are rainfall from Harvey last year.)
Last year, we tweeted this: https://t.co/NkOqn3JkRSIt's alarming that it's become relevant again, but #Florence is forecast to bring a large area of rainfall of 20-40" to parts of NC/SC. We cannot overstate the threat of catastrophic flooding this storm will bring! pic.twitter.com/4obR151kFp
Hurricane Florence is expected to bring a life-threatening storm surge to North Carolina and South Carolina.
Florence began battering the Carolina coast on Thursday, with the storm closing in at 100 mph (155 kph) winds.
Historic river flooding is expected in North Carolina, which could potentially cause a dump containing mercury, arsenic and lead to flow into a local water supply.
Florence’s winds weakened as it approached land, and the hurricane was downgraded from a Category 4 to a 2.
There have been power outages for more than 80,000 people in North Carolina.
There are more than more than 12,000 people in 126 shelters in the state, and officials are preparing to open more shelters.
The governor of Virginia advised residents to shelter in place and stay off the roads on Thursday.
Nearly 2m coastal residents have faced evacuation orders.
The hurricane has sparked fears of potential environmental disasters, with waste from hog manure pits, coal ash dumps and other industrial sites possibly washing into homes and water supplies.
Florence is expected to cause historic river flooding and could cause problems for days in parts of North Carolina, according to estimates from local news station WECT.
The Northeast Cape Fear river at Burgaw has a forecast crest of 24ft, which could surpass the previous record of 22.5ft.
The Cape Fear river at Elizabethtown has a forecast crest of 29.6ft, and flooding is also expected at the Waccamaw river in Pireway, though the amount there is still unknown.
The forecast crest is 19.2ft for the Lumber river in Lumberton. Guardian reporter Oliver Laughland has some background on what’s at stake in Lumberton, where rains could cause a dump containing mercury, arsenic and lead to overflow into the water supply:
Here are a few images from photographers on the ground:
More than 80,000 customers are without power in North Carolina, according to the major electric utilities in the state. Duke Energy estimated that 1m to 3m of its 4m customers in the Carolinas could lose power due to Florence, the AP reports.
There are now more than 12,000 people in 126 shelters in North Carolina, according to governor Roy Cooper. He said the demand is expected to increase and the state is in the process of opening more shelters.
Cooper has also requested a presidential disaster declaration to expedite the process of receiving federal aid for recovery and cleanup:
Gov. Cooper has requested a presidential disaster declaration to expedite the process of receiving federal aid for cleanup and recovery. https://t.co/aDGlTRdexs pic.twitter.com/HEoXr9oZnB
From the governor’s office:
The added disaster declaration would go beyond the federal action already in effect, which is already providing Federal Emergency Management Agency funds and assistance as we prepare for the hurricane. The additional declaration would provide federal help with debris removal as well as FEMA search and rescue teams, disaster medical teams, hazardous material clean up assistance, meals, generators, fuel and more.
Gov. Northam advises Virginians to stay off the road as Hurricane Florence approaches landfall https://t.co/YU0bmID7ga pic.twitter.com/z37ft7UAJw
The governor of Virginia has now advised residents to stay off the road and stay in place as Florence approaches landfall. From the AP:
He says parts of Virginia will likely see tropical storm-force winds, flooding and several inches (centimeters) of rain.
Although the forecast for Virginia is less severe than earlier in the week, Northam says “now is not the time to let down our guard.”
He notes that forecasts for the weekend show a continued threat to southwest Virginia as the storm is expected to make a gradual northerly turn.
There are now 400 people in shelters across the state, officials said.