CHARLESTON — (Scroll Down For Live Video) — The leading edge of Hurricane Florence arrived in North Carolina Thursday, bringing heavy winds and rainfall to some beach communities.
More than ten million Americans are under storm watches and warnings. Hurricane force winds, storm surges, rain and potential flooding are the main concerns.
Florence, now a category 2 hurricane, is expected to bring storm surges of up to 10 feet.
On Wednesday, a satellite measured an 83 Foot wave near the center of Hurricane Florence.
“It appears a major flood event is on the way in the Middle Atlantic region,” meteorologist Mike Smith said. “It is likely some areas will flood that have never flooded before.”
A high definition camera outside the International Space Station captured a stark and sobering view of Hurricane Florence.
Some fluctuations in strength will be possible through Thursday morning. Although slow weakening is expected to begin by late Thursday, Florence is forecast to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it nears the U.S. coast late Thursday and Friday.
Landfall is expected Friday or Saturday.
The National Weather Service says the event “will likely be the storm of a lifetime for portions of the Carolina coast.”
Hurricane #Florence looks enormous, even from space. Here are three dramatic views of the storm approaching the East Coast, seen from the #GOESEast satellite this morning. Latest updates: https://t.co/LrkBX5oj8L #HurricaneFlorence pic.twitter.com/jJGJVOxbHq
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) September 12, 2018
There is a high to moderate risk of flash flooding from #Florence across eastern North Carolina and extreme eastern South Carolina on Friday. @NWSWPC is forecasting more than 20″ of rain in some areas over the next week. https://t.co/krDhlpZ8LX pic.twitter.com/YhIH0JziC0
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 12, 2018
Hurricane and storm surge warnings for Florence remain in effect from South Santee River, South Carolina, to Duck, North Carolina, including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.
South Carolina State Troopers Escort Cars In Reversed Lane as Residents Flee The Coast – https://t.co/vJb6ANNRyN pic.twitter.com/57tvCISbn6
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) September 12, 2018
NHC said “Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.”
Live video from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Nags Head, North Carolina as Hurricane Florence approaches the east coast. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center warn that Florence remains deadly.
Radar map shows Hurricane Florence closing in on the Carolinas.
Hurricane Florence churns up waves in North Carolina – Footage from Surfline
For updated forecasts on this storm, visit: www.nhc.noaa.gov.
