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Hurricane Florence makes landfall in North Carolina – live updates Hurricane Florence makes landfall in North Carolina – live updates
(35 minutes later)
The latest update from the National Weather Service says maximum sustained winds remain near 90 mph with higher gusts. It predicts a gradual weakening later today and tonight. Other notable observations:
Track: “The center of Florence will move further inland across extreme southeastern North Carolina and extreme eastern South Carolina today and Saturday. Florence will then move generally northward across the western Carolinas and the central Appalachian Mountains early next week.”
Storm Surge: The water has the potential to reach 7-11 ft from Cape Fear to Cape Lookout with locally higher amounts.
Rainfall: For Southeastern coastal North Carolina into far northeastern South Carolina, an additional 20 to 25 inches, with isolated storm totals of 30 to 40 inches.
For the remainder of South Carolina and North Carolina into southwest Virginia...5 to 10 inches, isolated 15 inches.
Tornados: A few tornadoes are possible in eastern North Carolina today.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of North Carolina until 5 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/Dhqokv5syW
One thing to remember with large tropical events like Florence is that they are typically multi-stage flooding events. The initial storm surge and rainfall flooding is often followed by swelling rivers and streams in the days ahead as inland inundation eventually finds its way to the lowest ground.
In North Carolina, Cape Fear River now is predicted to experience record flooding Monday or Tuesday, long after Florence has passed over.
Record river stage flooding is predicted in Cape Fear River, with river levels forecast to rise to 24.5ft early next week. This is well after #Florence pushes out of the area, but impacts are likely still be felt. pic.twitter.com/vtwPQoB26x
Wilmington has recorded a wind gust of 105 mph, its highest in 60 years and second highest ever observed.
Wilmington officially recorded its second highest wind gust ever: 105 mph. (135 mph Hurricane Helene, 9 / 27 / 1958)
Khushbu Shah is in Wilmington where Florence’s powerful eye wall is making landfall.Khushbu Shah is in Wilmington where Florence’s powerful eye wall is making landfall.
She says windows are rattling and rain is pounding in 2-3 minute increments at the hotel windows.She says windows are rattling and rain is pounding in 2-3 minute increments at the hotel windows.
Nearby, Waffle House employees are putting on rain boots, lighting up the hotel lobby with flashlights and are heading out to serve limited menu breakfasts as Florence makes landfall. They’re saying the one downtown is opening soon.Nearby, Waffle House employees are putting on rain boots, lighting up the hotel lobby with flashlights and are heading out to serve limited menu breakfasts as Florence makes landfall. They’re saying the one downtown is opening soon.
2:09a.m. the power went out in the hotel. Around 4:30a.m. A loud pop and the street lights went off. The sign next from Picasso Pawns flew off in the middle of the night.2:09a.m. the power went out in the hotel. Around 4:30a.m. A loud pop and the street lights went off. The sign next from Picasso Pawns flew off in the middle of the night.
Plants are flying out of pots outside. Only cars on the road are news crews and police.”Plants are flying out of pots outside. Only cars on the road are news crews and police.”
Hurricane #Florence rips off gas station canopy in Wilmington, North Carolina, as tropical-storm-force winds extending almost 200 miles pound the Carolina coastline. https://t.co/oOidzZKS4K pic.twitter.com/uV1sAoIQZNHurricane #Florence rips off gas station canopy in Wilmington, North Carolina, as tropical-storm-force winds extending almost 200 miles pound the Carolina coastline. https://t.co/oOidzZKS4K pic.twitter.com/uV1sAoIQZN
Wilmington mayor Bill Saffo moments ago speaking to CNN by phone:Wilmington mayor Bill Saffo moments ago speaking to CNN by phone:
The entire city’s out of power ... I’ve lived here all my life. I have never seen a hurricane that is literally going to be with us for two days.”The entire city’s out of power ... I’ve lived here all my life. I have never seen a hurricane that is literally going to be with us for two days.”
The storm officially made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, NC at 7:15AM this morning with gusts near 90mph recorded.The storm officially made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, NC at 7:15AM this morning with gusts near 90mph recorded.
Half of the eye is onshore, so it's official: #HurricaneFlorence has made landfall. pic.twitter.com/YK0vOndxxHHalf of the eye is onshore, so it's official: #HurricaneFlorence has made landfall. pic.twitter.com/YK0vOndxxH
There are now nearly 380,000 without power in North Carolina now according to the state Department of Public Safety, a number which could skyrocket in to the millions by days end.There are now nearly 380,000 without power in North Carolina now according to the state Department of Public Safety, a number which could skyrocket in to the millions by days end.
BAM! 380,000+ with no power in North Carolina. And #Florence has much more ahead. @wsbtv #StormWatchon2 pic.twitter.com/51QZBnfBGfBAM! 380,000+ with no power in North Carolina. And #Florence has much more ahead. @wsbtv #StormWatchon2 pic.twitter.com/51QZBnfBGf
The South East Regional Climate Centre says Wilmington, North Carolina, where Florence will shortly make landfall, has experienced winds of 92mph, the highest recorded there since 1960.The South East Regional Climate Centre says Wilmington, North Carolina, where Florence will shortly make landfall, has experienced winds of 92mph, the highest recorded there since 1960.
It’s way too early to assess the dollar damage of Florence, but with the current levels of rainfall and storm surge, it won’t be surprising if Florence ends up among the most expensive US hurricanes ever.It’s way too early to assess the dollar damage of Florence, but with the current levels of rainfall and storm surge, it won’t be surprising if Florence ends up among the most expensive US hurricanes ever.
The number of homes without power appears to be rising every minute, according to a constantly updated ticker from North Carolina Department of Public Safety.The number of homes without power appears to be rising every minute, according to a constantly updated ticker from North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
It is now more than 370,000.It is now more than 370,000.
We’re currently in a record stretch for “above normal” hurricane seasons. Due to the intense strength and lengthy duration of Florence, 2018 is already worse than initial expectations.We’re currently in a record stretch for “above normal” hurricane seasons. Due to the intense strength and lengthy duration of Florence, 2018 is already worse than initial expectations.
There’s more here.There’s more here.
Buddy Martinette, Wilmington fire chief has, urged people trapped in their homes in nearby New Bern to stay as high as possible.Buddy Martinette, Wilmington fire chief has, urged people trapped in their homes in nearby New Bern to stay as high as possible.
Speaking to CNN he said his advice to those people was to “go high, stay there and we will get to you as quick as we can”.Speaking to CNN he said his advice to those people was to “go high, stay there and we will get to you as quick as we can”.
He added:He added:
Most of the firefighters right now are hunkered down trying to wait this out till they can get back out of the streets.Most of the firefighters right now are hunkered down trying to wait this out till they can get back out of the streets.
But if there is a life to be saved we go do it. When people stay back in a storm they have to have a very low expectation that somebody is going to be able to come and help them. It is very difficult ...But if there is a life to be saved we go do it. When people stay back in a storm they have to have a very low expectation that somebody is going to be able to come and help them. It is very difficult ...
It will be a few days before the storm is over but recovery will be weeks and months.It will be a few days before the storm is over but recovery will be weeks and months.
The National Weather Service reminds us that landfall occurs when the centre of the eye crosses land.The National Weather Service reminds us that landfall occurs when the centre of the eye crosses land.
We're seeing some erroneous info this AM. #Florence has NOT officially made landfall. A part of the eye wall has made it on land, but landfall is based on when the CENTER of the eye crosses onto land. Official landfall confirmation must & will come from @NHC_Atlantic #ncwx #scwxWe're seeing some erroneous info this AM. #Florence has NOT officially made landfall. A part of the eye wall has made it on land, but landfall is based on when the CENTER of the eye crosses onto land. Official landfall confirmation must & will come from @NHC_Atlantic #ncwx #scwx
More than 320,000 homes are without power in North Carolina, according to the latest stats from North Carolina Department of Public Safety.More than 320,000 homes are without power in North Carolina, according to the latest stats from North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Several flash flood warnings are in place in North Carolina.Several flash flood warnings are in place in North Carolina.
Flash Flood Warning continues for Washington NC, River Bend NC, Vanceboro NC until 6:45 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/tE7FxF5HhdFlash Flood Warning continues for Washington NC, River Bend NC, Vanceboro NC until 6:45 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/tE7FxF5Hhd
Flash Flood Warning continues for Jacksonville NC, Piney Green NC, Half Moon NC until 8:15 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/XWuwZ0Ce8RFlash Flood Warning continues for Jacksonville NC, Piney Green NC, Half Moon NC until 8:15 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/XWuwZ0Ce8R
We've just issued warnings for 3 locations in the Cape Fear River basin in response to expected heavy rainfall from #Florence. All sites including Fayetteville can expect at least moderate flooding, with serious impacts possible over the next few days. Stay tuned. #ncwx pic.twitter.com/F6eTzeTi3SWe've just issued warnings for 3 locations in the Cape Fear River basin in response to expected heavy rainfall from #Florence. All sites including Fayetteville can expect at least moderate flooding, with serious impacts possible over the next few days. Stay tuned. #ncwx pic.twitter.com/F6eTzeTi3S
Are hurricanes getting worse? Long-term climate trends paint a worrying picture as Daniel Levitt and Niko Kommenda explain.Are hurricanes getting worse? Long-term climate trends paint a worrying picture as Daniel Levitt and Niko Kommenda explain.