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Hurricane Florence: Life-threatening storm lands in North Carolina | Hurricane Florence: Life-threatening storm lands in North Carolina |
(35 minutes later) | |
Hurricane Florence is ravaging the US East Coast, knocking out power to more than 600,000 homes, causing buildings to crumble and stranding residents. | Hurricane Florence is ravaging the US East Coast, knocking out power to more than 600,000 homes, causing buildings to crumble and stranding residents. |
The centre of the storm made landfall at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, with gales of up to 90mph (150 km/h). | The centre of the storm made landfall at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, with gales of up to 90mph (150 km/h). |
Rains and surging seas have already inundated coastal areas. Dozens of people were rescued from a collapsing hotel in North Carolina. | Rains and surging seas have already inundated coastal areas. Dozens of people were rescued from a collapsing hotel in North Carolina. |
Evacuation warnings are in place for 1.7 million people. | Evacuation warnings are in place for 1.7 million people. |
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper told a news conference that whole communities "could be wiped away". | North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper told a news conference that whole communities "could be wiped away". |
"This is an uninvited brute that just won't leave," he told NBC. | "This is an uninvited brute that just won't leave," he told NBC. |
The state's transportation secretary, James Trogdon, said the state may see "flood events" that normally only occur once every 1,000 years. | The state's transportation secretary, James Trogdon, said the state may see "flood events" that normally only occur once every 1,000 years. |
National Weather Service forecaster Brandon Locklear said North Carolina is likely to see eight months of rain in two to three days. | National Weather Service forecaster Brandon Locklear said North Carolina is likely to see eight months of rain in two to three days. |
Thousands of miles away a huge typhoon is moving towards the Philippines. More than five million people are in the path of Super Typhoon Mangkhut, officials say. | Thousands of miles away a huge typhoon is moving towards the Philippines. More than five million people are in the path of Super Typhoon Mangkhut, officials say. |
Conditions deteriorated on Friday as slow-moving Florence crawled along at 3mph (4.8km/ h). | |
US officials say the tempest remains extremely dangerous because of the high volume of rainfall and predicted storm surges, even though its wind speeds lowered slightly on Thursday night, making it a category one hurricane. | |
By Friday morning, the North Carolina coastal town of Atlantic Beach had already received 30in (76cm) of rain, the US Geological Service said. | By Friday morning, the North Carolina coastal town of Atlantic Beach had already received 30in (76cm) of rain, the US Geological Service said. |
The storm is forecast to dump about 18 trillion gallons of rainwater on US soil, most of it in North Carolina, meteorologist Ryan Maue tweeted. | The storm is forecast to dump about 18 trillion gallons of rainwater on US soil, most of it in North Carolina, meteorologist Ryan Maue tweeted. |
Hurricane Harvey last year dumped some 33 trillion gallons of rainwater in the US. | Hurricane Harvey last year dumped some 33 trillion gallons of rainwater in the US. |
More than 620,000 homes and businesses are without power, and energy companies warn up to three million homes and businesses could lose electricity. | |
Officials have warned that restoring electricity could take days or even weeks. | |
In Jacksonville, North Carolina, officials rescued about 60 people overnight from a hotel that was collapsing in the storm. | In Jacksonville, North Carolina, officials rescued about 60 people overnight from a hotel that was collapsing in the storm. |
Emergency workers arrived to find the Triangle Motor Inn's structure crumbling, with many guests still in their rooms. | Emergency workers arrived to find the Triangle Motor Inn's structure crumbling, with many guests still in their rooms. |
As parts of the roof caved in, police had to force their way into some suites amid 75mph winds to reach those inside. | As parts of the roof caved in, police had to force their way into some suites amid 75mph winds to reach those inside. |
All of the occupants, who included children and pets, were safely rescued. | All of the occupants, who included children and pets, were safely rescued. |
Parts of New Bern, North Carolina, which is home to 30,000 people, are 10ft (3m) underwater. | Parts of New Bern, North Carolina, which is home to 30,000 people, are 10ft (3m) underwater. |
Several hundred residents of the riverfront city have been plucked to safety by authorities. | |
Local resident Peggy Perry told CNN she was "stuck in the attic" along with three relatives. | Local resident Peggy Perry told CNN she was "stuck in the attic" along with three relatives. |
"In a matter of seconds, my house was flooded up to the waist, and now it is to the chest," she added. | "In a matter of seconds, my house was flooded up to the waist, and now it is to the chest," she added. |
Officials have warned against entering attics, unless people have a means to cut through to the roof to avoid drowning. | Officials have warned against entering attics, unless people have a means to cut through to the roof to avoid drowning. |
More than 20,000 people are meanwhile taking refuge in emergency shelters. | More than 20,000 people are meanwhile taking refuge in emergency shelters. |
At the White House, President Donald Trump has been retweeting local emergency officials' updates and tips for surviving the storm. | At the White House, President Donald Trump has been retweeting local emergency officials' updates and tips for surviving the storm. |
How long will this last? | How long will this last? |
Latest predictions show the storm slowing to a near standstill as it pummels the coast with "copious amounts of rain" from Thursday night to Saturday. | Latest predictions show the storm slowing to a near standstill as it pummels the coast with "copious amounts of rain" from Thursday night to Saturday. |
Wind speeds are only expected to weaken on Saturday as the storm moves slowly across land. | Wind speeds are only expected to weaken on Saturday as the storm moves slowly across land. |
More than a dozen counties in North Carolina are under a tornado watch, with officials also warning of a chance of hail. | More than a dozen counties in North Carolina are under a tornado watch, with officials also warning of a chance of hail. |
Is global warming to blame? | Is global warming to blame? |
The relationship between climate change and hurricanes is a complex one. | The relationship between climate change and hurricanes is a complex one. |
Warmer seas power hurricanes. So as the temperature of ocean water goes up, we might expect the intensity of hurricanes to increase in future. | Warmer seas power hurricanes. So as the temperature of ocean water goes up, we might expect the intensity of hurricanes to increase in future. |
A hotter atmosphere can also hold more water, so this should allow hurricanes to dump more water on affected areas. | A hotter atmosphere can also hold more water, so this should allow hurricanes to dump more water on affected areas. |
But there are so many factors that contribute to these rare events, it has been difficult to tease out clear trends from the data. | But there are so many factors that contribute to these rare events, it has been difficult to tease out clear trends from the data. |
Are you in the area? How are you preparing for the hurricane? If it is safe to do so please tell us about your situation by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? How are you preparing for the hurricane? If it is safe to do so please tell us about your situation by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. |
You can also contact us in the following ways: | You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |