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Hurricane Florence makes landfall in North Carolina – live updates Hurricane Florence: slow-moving storm will cause ‘disastrous floods’ – live updates
(35 minutes later)
Throughout Florence’s approach and landfall, weather experts have desperately been trying to hammer home the point that storm category isn’t an effective measurement of the total risk of a tropical system.
“The reality is that these impacts are independent of that category,” said National Weather Service Director Ken Graham on Fox News Friday. “A slow large storm is our nemesis because what it does is it keeps pushing the water...inland.”
Forecasters have continued to stress: “It cannot be emphasized enough that the most serious hazard associated with slow-moving Florence is extremely heavy rainfall, which will cause disastrous flooding that will be spreading inland.”
Like recent slow moving, rain dumping storms Harvey and Sandy, Florence has inspired robust conversations about the actual usefulness of the wind-based Saffir-Simpson category system which Forbes contributor Marshall Shepherd notes “often misses significant impacts of a hurricane.”
Shepherd continued:
Even before landfall, many of us were concerned about a tendency that we notice with the public during these storms. Many of the models projected a Category 4 hurricane to make landfall earlier in the week.
As it got closer to land, it was classified as Category 2. Intensity forecasts still lag track forecasts but that is a different article. This change caused some people to make statements like “it’s just a Category 2 storm” or “it’s not going to be that bad.” It even caused some fringe elements to start hyperventilating and whining about over-hype.
Take for example, this tweet from Pennsylvania congressman Rick Saccone:
Alarmist media at it again. Overhyped Florence. Down two notches to Cat 2 already. Soon be Cat 1. They are still trying to hype it
This is one way to ride out a storm, from the AP:
With Hurricane Florence barreling toward their home near Wilmington, North Carolina, Allison Hales Jordan and her husband boarded up their house, packed up their car and headed to Walt Disney World in Florida with their two teenage children.
“When we decided where to go, everybody was going west, but we decided we should go as far south as possible, which is weird since Florida gets hurricanes,” said Jordan who works as a preschool director in Burgaw, North Carolina.
Long accustomed to its residents evacuating north or to other parts of the state when hurricanes threaten, Florida was in the unusual position this week of accommodating diverted cruise ships and hotel-room seekers hoping to escape the wrath of Hurricane Florence, which made landfall Friday morning in North Carolina.
State emergency officials said Thursday they had no way of tracking how many residents from the Carolinas had escaped to Florida this week. But Florida hotels were offering special discounts for hurricane evacuees and Florida ports were opening their terminals to cruise ships making unexpected ports of call.
“I feel guilty but we’re trying to make the best of the situation,” Jordan said. “We’re trying to find some Disney magic, even when we don’t know what we are going to find when we go back and we don’t know when we will go back home. We’re here even though are hearts are in North Carolina.”
With power outages now affecting more than 475,000 customers in North Carolina and 32,000 in South Carolina, thats over a half million in the dark, and Florence still has plenty more wind and rain to dish out.
Duke Energy, the primary provider in the region has said no technicians will be sent out to restore power until the storm passes.
Even though it leaves you exposed to the elements, experts say that people caught in flood emergencies are safer on the roof than in attics or crawlspaces, where they can more easily become trapped.Even though it leaves you exposed to the elements, experts say that people caught in flood emergencies are safer on the roof than in attics or crawlspaces, where they can more easily become trapped.
For those sheltering in place from #Florence, know what to do if flood waters reach your location. Never enter attics or crawl spaces. Preliminary analysis shows that storm surge is approximately 2 feet higher in @CityofNewBern than during Hurricane Irene. pic.twitter.com/nu7iNn1NCYFor those sheltering in place from #Florence, know what to do if flood waters reach your location. Never enter attics or crawl spaces. Preliminary analysis shows that storm surge is approximately 2 feet higher in @CityofNewBern than during Hurricane Irene. pic.twitter.com/nu7iNn1NCY
With Florence moving at a snail’s pace of 5mph, we’re still waiting to feel the force of the storm here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.With Florence moving at a snail’s pace of 5mph, we’re still waiting to feel the force of the storm here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Nonetheless, the rain and wind is lashing at my hotel window with reports of minor damage to property a little further up the road.Nonetheless, the rain and wind is lashing at my hotel window with reports of minor damage to property a little further up the road.
The centre is only around 65 miles away, but we’re going to be waiting until after midday before it crosses the state line down into South Carolina.The centre is only around 65 miles away, but we’re going to be waiting until after midday before it crosses the state line down into South Carolina.
By around that time we’re expecting wind gusts of around 65mph. The centre of the storm is not due to reach us here until the early hours of Saturday morning, at the point, forecasters still project Florence will be a category one hurricane. By around that time we’re expecting wind gusts of around 65mph. The centre of the storm is not due to reach us here until the early hours of Saturday morning, at the point forecasters still project Florence will be a category one hurricane.
Check out these stunning images from German astronaut Alexander Gerst looking down on Florence’s eye from the International Space Station.Check out these stunning images from German astronaut Alexander Gerst looking down on Florence’s eye from the International Space Station.
Donald Trump’s Twitter is, for the moment, all business as it relates to Hurricane Florence.Donald Trump’s Twitter is, for the moment, all business as it relates to Hurricane Florence.
Incredible job being done by FEMA, First Responders, Law Enforcement and all. Thank you!Incredible job being done by FEMA, First Responders, Law Enforcement and all. Thank you!
We have created a rumor control page for Hurricane #Florence that will be updated regularly. During disasters, it’s critical to avoid spreading false information. Always check with official sources before sharing. https://t.co/PAjGQZJ1Nt pic.twitter.com/z4L0r1YjATWe have created a rumor control page for Hurricane #Florence that will be updated regularly. During disasters, it’s critical to avoid spreading false information. Always check with official sources before sharing. https://t.co/PAjGQZJ1Nt pic.twitter.com/z4L0r1YjAT
Hoy es el último día para desalojar. Si está en la ruta de #Florence, escuche a las autoridades locales para órdenes de desalojo. Si necesita encontrar un refugio, envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra REFUGIO y su código postal a 43362(4FEMA). pic.twitter.com/PRlsueYD2bHoy es el último día para desalojar. Si está en la ruta de #Florence, escuche a las autoridades locales para órdenes de desalojo. Si necesita encontrar un refugio, envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra REFUGIO y su código postal a 43362(4FEMA). pic.twitter.com/PRlsueYD2b
Earlier this week Trump responded to discussions about Florence and the administration’s response to storms last year to falsely claim that studies on the death toll from Hurricane Maria were inflated by Democrats to make him look bad.Earlier this week Trump responded to discussions about Florence and the administration’s response to storms last year to falsely claim that studies on the death toll from Hurricane Maria were inflated by Democrats to make him look bad.
62 people, including an infant and many children were safely relocated from a hotel in Jacksonville, North Carolina after officials found potentially fatal structural damage to the building.62 people, including an infant and many children were safely relocated from a hotel in Jacksonville, North Carolina after officials found potentially fatal structural damage to the building.
According to the city:According to the city:
About 12:45 AM, Jacksonville 9-1-1 received a call about damage to the Triangle Motor Inn at 246 Wilmington Hwy. A basketball sized hole was found in a corner room by an Officer. Firefighters later found life-threatening damage to the structure. Cinder blocks that were part of the structure were crumbling in some places and residents were still in many of the rooms.About 12:45 AM, Jacksonville 9-1-1 received a call about damage to the Triangle Motor Inn at 246 Wilmington Hwy. A basketball sized hole was found in a corner room by an Officer. Firefighters later found life-threatening damage to the structure. Cinder blocks that were part of the structure were crumbling in some places and residents were still in many of the rooms.
Hurricane force winds were a challenge, and Police and Fire had to force their way into some rooms.Hurricane force winds were a challenge, and Police and Fire had to force their way into some rooms.
Portions of the roof were collapsed, allowing rain to flood some of the rooms.Portions of the roof were collapsed, allowing rain to flood some of the rooms.
Using a host of vehicles, Jacksonville Fire and Emergency Services transported many residents of the facility. Some drove their own vehicles with police escorts.Using a host of vehicles, Jacksonville Fire and Emergency Services transported many residents of the facility. Some drove their own vehicles with police escorts.
The occupants have been placed in a temporary space in the Center for Public Safety while work is underway to find shelter for the residents.The occupants have been placed in a temporary space in the Center for Public Safety while work is underway to find shelter for the residents.
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: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.”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.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.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.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.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/Dhqokv5syWA 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.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.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/vtwPQoB26xRecord 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 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)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