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Hurricane Florence batters Carolinas amid warning of 'catastrophic' floods – live updates Hurricane Florence batters Carolinas amid warning of 'catastrophic' floods – live updates
(35 minutes later)
The National Wether Service is warning people in the Carolina inland about an increased threat of landslides and debris flows across the mountains and foothills this weekend. Dramatic scenes from North Carolina, where the southeastern part of the state is under flash flood warnings.
This is not a scene that you want to see at the end of your street. Massive waves & storm surge overtaking this neighborhood in coastal NC.(Courtesy: Don Bowers & LeeAnn0252) pic.twitter.com/oNuPnvGAC6
Harborview Nursing home in Morehead City, NCI worked here for about 2 years. It is right on the water and as you can see, the first floor is under water and it's close to getting 2nd floor.Laundry, front office, beauty shop, kitchen all on 1st floor. pic.twitter.com/7qSsqegydW
Carolina Beach is flooding. #HurricaneFlorerence pic.twitter.com/MxMYzu6BfB
"A remarkably touching scene in Wilmington, North Carolina as firefighters huddle in prayer for two victims in partial house collapse." - @LesterHoltNBC pic.twitter.com/Cjp1xHi5y9
ProPublica is reporting that if Florence causes massive damage, North Carolina’s coastal insurance policy may not have the cash to foot the bill. Those costs could wind up being passed along to property tax payers statewide.
“According to the most recent totals available, from 2017, the state-created insurance plan had access to about $3 billion in reserves, reinsurance, and contributions from insurance companies to repair and rebuild damaged homes and properties,” according to ProPublica.
The policy is insuring $74 billion in potential liability.
For scale of hurricane damage costs, consider that the total payout from claims related to Hurricane Harvey are expected to approach $20 billion.
All aboard.
More #HurricaneFlorence storm damage - viewer Sheannon Lilley sent us this shot of a boat from her hotel room window at Courtyard Marriott in New Bern: pic.twitter.com/8TFxe9uKZY
The National Weather Service is warning people in the Carolina inland about an increased threat of landslides and debris flows across the mountains and foothills this weekend.
Florence will bring heavy rain to the western Carolinas Saturday through Monday. The heavy rain is expected to result in significant flooding along creeks and streams.Florence will bring heavy rain to the western Carolinas Saturday through Monday. The heavy rain is expected to result in significant flooding along creeks and streams.
Landslides, including fast-moving debris flows consisting of water, mud, falling rocks, trees, and other large debris, are most likely within small valleys that drain steep slopes.Landslides, including fast-moving debris flows consisting of water, mud, falling rocks, trees, and other large debris, are most likely within small valleys that drain steep slopes.
Landslides are powerful and potentially deadly, capable of washing out roads, bridges, and homes. People living in areas prone to landslides should be aware of the danger and be prepared to act.Landslides are powerful and potentially deadly, capable of washing out roads, bridges, and homes. People living in areas prone to landslides should be aware of the danger and be prepared to act.
The National Weather service advises people to “move away from steep slopes and small streams in steep valleys and to seek refuge on higher ground away from streams, preferably in a sturdy shelter.”The National Weather service advises people to “move away from steep slopes and small streams in steep valleys and to seek refuge on higher ground away from streams, preferably in a sturdy shelter.”
Stay alert. Many landslide fatalities occur when people are sleeping. Be aware that short intense bursts of rainfall are most likely to cause landslides.Stay alert. Many landslide fatalities occur when people are sleeping. Be aware that short intense bursts of rainfall are most likely to cause landslides.
In a new conference, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper says Hurricane Florence is so widespread, “you will find it hard to find a NC resident who has not been impacted. It has just come ashore and will be here for a long time. This is going to be a bad storm.”In a new conference, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper says Hurricane Florence is so widespread, “you will find it hard to find a NC resident who has not been impacted. It has just come ashore and will be here for a long time. This is going to be a bad storm.”
At the same conference, Major General Gregory Lusk said over 500 activated North Carolina Guard soldiers and airmen “are already responding to calls over the state. We are standing up a joint task force that has a dual status commander that will be coordinating response efforts.”At the same conference, Major General Gregory Lusk said over 500 activated North Carolina Guard soldiers and airmen “are already responding to calls over the state. We are standing up a joint task force that has a dual status commander that will be coordinating response efforts.”
.@NC_Governor Cooper: The Federal Disaster Declaration is under review at this time, but we expect it to be approved. The request has been expedited. It will be for recovery efforts. #FlorenceNC #HurricaneFlorence #ncwx.@NC_Governor Cooper: The Federal Disaster Declaration is under review at this time, but we expect it to be approved. The request has been expedited. It will be for recovery efforts. #FlorenceNC #HurricaneFlorence #ncwx
Officials also said they had responded to 108 calls for service and 30 collisions on North Carolina highways and advised: “Do not drive through barricades or drive through floodwaters and look out for debris in the road.”Officials also said they had responded to 108 calls for service and 30 collisions on North Carolina highways and advised: “Do not drive through barricades or drive through floodwaters and look out for debris in the road.”
Cooper asked residents not to fly drones after the winds die down, which some presumably would have thought to do to survey damage with cameras from above. “The FAA may issue an order to tell people not to fly drones. So do not fly drones, as it can cause significant problems with rescue efforts. This is an important message now, before the storm passes,” he said.Cooper asked residents not to fly drones after the winds die down, which some presumably would have thought to do to survey damage with cameras from above. “The FAA may issue an order to tell people not to fly drones. So do not fly drones, as it can cause significant problems with rescue efforts. This is an important message now, before the storm passes,” he said.
In Conway North Carolina, about eight miles north of Myrtle Beach, Rocky Session spent the morning checking on his home, making some last minute adjustments to the wood he has fixed over the windows.In Conway North Carolina, about eight miles north of Myrtle Beach, Rocky Session spent the morning checking on his home, making some last minute adjustments to the wood he has fixed over the windows.
“I feel a little bit better,” Session said as he drilled the last piece of wood diagonally across his doorway.“I feel a little bit better,” Session said as he drilled the last piece of wood diagonally across his doorway.
“But this will probably be all flooded later today,” he added, looking at the grassy land around his 50ft x 12ft trailer.“But this will probably be all flooded later today,” he added, looking at the grassy land around his 50ft x 12ft trailer.
“I’m pretty sure my trailers not gonna blow away – it’s strapped down – but I’m worried about flooding. Last time it did.”“I’m pretty sure my trailers not gonna blow away – it’s strapped down – but I’m worried about flooding. Last time it did.”
Session and his wife, Holly Dew, evacuated their single story home on Thursday and are staying in a nearby hotel. They would have moved further, but Dew’s mother, Deborah, is in intensive care in the Conway Medical Center hospital. Deborah has been in hospital, in a critical condition, for a month and is too sick to move.Session and his wife, Holly Dew, evacuated their single story home on Thursday and are staying in a nearby hotel. They would have moved further, but Dew’s mother, Deborah, is in intensive care in the Conway Medical Center hospital. Deborah has been in hospital, in a critical condition, for a month and is too sick to move.
“She died once, she came back to life through CPR,” Dew said.“She died once, she came back to life through CPR,” Dew said.
“Now she’s on dialysis, but she really can’t do nothing. She needs to do physical therapy, she’s been in the bed so long she can’t walk.“Now she’s on dialysis, but she really can’t do nothing. She needs to do physical therapy, she’s been in the bed so long she can’t walk.
“I’m worried because she’s on oxygen. I know they have a generator but…” Dew said, tailing off.“I’m worried because she’s on oxygen. I know they have a generator but…” Dew said, tailing off.
Dew normally visits her mother twice a day but is unlikely to be able to visit for the next few days. She and Session toyed with sleeping on the hospital floor, but the hospital was crowded and uncomfortable. They opted for the hotel instead, along with scores of others from the area.Dew normally visits her mother twice a day but is unlikely to be able to visit for the next few days. She and Session toyed with sleeping on the hospital floor, but the hospital was crowded and uncomfortable. They opted for the hotel instead, along with scores of others from the area.
Session was also back home to check on his two dogs. He was concerned about leaving them in the trailer, but said he could not afford to pay the extra money needed to keep them at the hotel. The dogs greeted Session gleefully upon his arrival, and took a stroll while he refilled water and food.Session was also back home to check on his two dogs. He was concerned about leaving them in the trailer, but said he could not afford to pay the extra money needed to keep them at the hotel. The dogs greeted Session gleefully upon his arrival, and took a stroll while he refilled water and food.
On Friday morning rain was beginning to lash the hotel, flooding the carpark, and wind could be heard screeching outside.For Dew and Session, it will be an anxious few days.On Friday morning rain was beginning to lash the hotel, flooding the carpark, and wind could be heard screeching outside.For Dew and Session, it will be an anxious few days.
If you have been affected by evacuation orders or by the weather directly you can share your experiences at the link below – one of our journalists may contact you to discuss further.If you have been affected by evacuation orders or by the weather directly you can share your experiences at the link below – one of our journalists may contact you to discuss further.
You can also contact the Guardian via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056.You can also contact the Guardian via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056.
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 risks.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 risks.
Got a minute? Watch Hurricane Florence from its formation on the coast of West Africa, through it’s 4,000 mile journey across the Atlantic, all the way to its collision with the mid-Atlantic coast.Got a minute? Watch Hurricane Florence from its formation on the coast of West Africa, through it’s 4,000 mile journey across the Atlantic, all the way to its collision with the mid-Atlantic coast.
4,000 miles.16 days. Florence's incredible journey from Africa to North America. (https://t.co/PVJEzdVNdg) pic.twitter.com/GyditETvuL4,000 miles.16 days. Florence's incredible journey from Africa to North America. (https://t.co/PVJEzdVNdg) pic.twitter.com/GyditETvuL
The latest update from the National Hurricane Center reports that Florence has slowed off its already sluggish 5 MPH pace to 3 MPH. That’s the average speed a person walks.The latest update from the National Hurricane Center reports that Florence has slowed off its already sluggish 5 MPH pace to 3 MPH. That’s the average speed a person walks.
Maximum sustained winds are down to below 80 mph which is significant because 74 mph is the minimum sustained threshold for a category 1 hurricane.Maximum sustained winds are down to below 80 mph which is significant because 74 mph is the minimum sustained threshold for a category 1 hurricane.
NHC reports that rainfall totals exceeding 14 inches thus far have been reported at several locations across southeastern North Carolina.NHC reports that rainfall totals exceeding 14 inches thus far have been reported at several locations across southeastern North Carolina.
Photographs now emerging from the Florence-battered Carolinas paint a scene of devastation, rescue and whole lot of hard work.Photographs now emerging from the Florence-battered Carolinas paint a scene of devastation, rescue and whole lot of hard work.
See more here.See more here.
Fun name, serious consequences.Fun name, serious consequences.
Florence appears to be shifting in track slightly to the south, a movement that forecasters call a “wobble”. That sounds innocent enough, but it appears likely to bring the storm back over sea causing it to strengthen and reorganize before making a SECOND landfall over South Carolina.Florence appears to be shifting in track slightly to the south, a movement that forecasters call a “wobble”. That sounds innocent enough, but it appears likely to bring the storm back over sea causing it to strengthen and reorganize before making a SECOND landfall over South Carolina.
#Florence has started the jog SW and the westward movement will bring SE NC an additional 10-20”. It’s just starting for people inland and the next 24hrs will have stronger winds, especially just south of Harnett Co. Wind map valid 6pm. pic.twitter.com/A8Eu7c7utv#Florence has started the jog SW and the westward movement will bring SE NC an additional 10-20”. It’s just starting for people inland and the next 24hrs will have stronger winds, especially just south of Harnett Co. Wind map valid 6pm. pic.twitter.com/A8Eu7c7utv
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.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.”“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.”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.”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: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.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.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: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 itAlarmist 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: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.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.“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.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.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.”“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.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.Duke Energy, the primary provider in the region has said no technicians will be sent out to restore power until the storm passes.