Florence rapidly strengthened into a potentially catastrophic Category 4 hurricane on Monday as it closed in on North and South Carolina, carrying winds and water that could wreak havoc over a wide stretch of the eastern United States later this week.
By 11am on Monday, Florence became a major hurricane, with top sustained winds of 130 mph. It was centered about 1,240 miles east-southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina, and moving west at 13 mph.
'Further strengthening is anticipated, and Florence is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday,' the National Hurricane Center said.
'On the forecast track, the center of Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday, and approach the coast of South Carolina or North Carolina on Thursday.'
South Carolina's emergency management agency said it was already 'preparing for the possibility of a large-scale disaster' and North Carolina officials on Monday ordered mandatory evacuations for the state's Outer Banks barrier islands.
Rapidly intensifying Hurricane Florence (bottom right) could strike a direct and dangerous blow anywhere from the Carolinas to the Mid-Atlantic region later this week
The governors of North and South Carolina and Virginia declared states of emergency far ahead of the approaching storm.
'Now is the time for your family also to prepare and stay tuned for more updates,' South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said.
'Plan for the worst, pray for the best.
'Pretend, assume, presume that a major hurricane is going to hit right smack dab in the middle of South Carolina and is going to go way inshore.'
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam's office described Florence as possibly the state's 'most significant hurricane event in decades,' and warned of 'catastrophic inland flooding, high winds and possible widespread power outages.'
It added: 'The largest threat to life from hurricanes is not the high winds. Flooding is the deadliest result of these storms.'
One person drowned on Sunday and two others were injured in dangerous surf conditions off Daytona Beach in Florida churned by Hurricane Florence.
Heavy rain in the Washington area over the weekend had already led to flooding in historic Alexandria, Virginia and the National Weather Service issued a flood watch for part of the Potomac River.
Up and down the densely populated coast, residents have been told to prepare, and not just for a possible direct blow. Florence could slow or stall on or near shore, scooping up massive amounts of seawater.
Some forecasting models show it could unload a foot or two of rain in places, causing devastating inland flooding. Forecasters also warned of a rising threat of life-threatening storm surge, along with the damaging winds.
It's too early to know the exact path, but forecasters said Florence could blow ashore in the Carolinas by Thursday
As of 5am Monday, Florence was centered about 625 miles southeast of Bermuda, moving west at 9mph. Its maximum sustained winds are at 105mph
One person drowned on Sunday and two others were injured in dangerous surf conditions off Daytona Beach in Florida churned by Hurricane Florence
The governors of North and South Carolina and Virginia declared states of emergency far ahead of the approaching storm
Jim Craig, David Burke and Chris Rayner load generators as people stocked up on supplies in Wilmington, North Carolina on Monday
Chris Rayner helps customers load their cars as they bought supplies at a Home Depot in Wilmington, North Carolina in preparation for Hurricane Florence
Navy ships off Virginia's coast were preparing to sail out of the path, a North Carolina university has already canceled classes and people have begun stocking up on plywood, bottled water and other supplies.
Red flags have already been flying on beaches, warning swimmers to stay out of the water as seas began kicking up. People rushed to get emergency kits ready, map out escape routes, fill sandbags and secure their homes.
In coastal Charleston, South Carolina, city officials offered sandbags to residents. Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune urged people to secure their homes but said it was too early to know if evacuations will be ordered.
Myrtle Beach hardware stores and supermarkets were busy ringing up sales of bottled water, plywood and generators.
'Literally, they are filling buggies full of water, shopping carts full of water,' Ryan Deeck, grocery department manager at a Walmart, told The Sun News. 'They're coming in and buying water and plates, and that's about all they're buying.'
North Carolina crews were getting bulldozers and chain saws ready.
Heavy rain in the Washington area over the weekend had already led to flooding in historic Alexandria, Virginia
Many parts of the Washington, D.C area received up to three inches of rain prior to the arrival of Hurricane Florence
In Jacksonville, North Carolina, about 20 miles inland, some residents picked up hurricane supplies during their normal weekend shopping, The Daily News reported. Ilija Cesal told the newspaper he wouldn't worry about buying extra water or other supplies for a few more days.
'I'll see by Wednesday how that goes - we got over 48 hours before that happens,' Cesal said.
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, near the shore, canceled its upcoming alumni weekend and all classes starting at noon Monday, encouraging its students to leave campus for a safer location.
In southeast Virginia, Naval Station Norfolk told not to leave their vehicles at the sprawling base later this week because of the flood threat. The Navy planned to send ships from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia out to sea.
Florida-based Carnival Cruise Line re-routed its cruise ships.
As of 5am Monday, Florence was centered about 625 miles southeast of Bermuda, moving west at 9mph. Its maximum sustained winds are at 105mph. Drawing energy from the warm water, it could have top sustained winds of 130 mph or more by Tuesday.
The center also said that Hurricane Isaac, much farther out to sea, has become the 5th named hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic season.
Lining up behind Florence, Isaac was about 1,230 miles east of the Windward Islands with top winds of 75 mph early Monday, moving west at 13 mph. It should accelerate over the next 36 hours, but poses no threat to land at this time.
Linkhienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/10/intensifying-hurricane-florence-could-strike-us-southeast/
Main photo article Florence rapidly strengthened into a potentially catastrophic Category 4 hurricane on Monday as it closed in on North and South Carolina, carrying winds and water that could wreak havoc over a wide stretch of the eastern United States later this week.
By 11am on Monday, Florence became a major ...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/09/10/14/4FFB330300000578-6150029-image-a-1_1536584613928.jpg
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