The time for driving out of the path of Hurricane Florence is coming to a close very shortly. Local officials are urging those in the immediate area of impending storm impact: If you’re not already on the road, stop thinking about getting away and start thinking about finding local shelter.
At 2 PM ET Florence remains a dangerous Category 2 storm with sustained winds of 105 mph. It is expected to maintain this strength until the eye passes over land late tonight. Current predictions are that Florence will move slowly through portions of South Carolina for the next two days. The speed of the storm is down to just 10 mph as it continues to push slowly, slowly toward land. This is a very large storm, with hurricane force winds extending out 80 miles from the center of the storm. The slow speed, wide expanse, and long persistence adds up to a huge threat of local and regional flooding. Inundation from storm surge remains a grave threat, especially in the area of the Pamlico Sound.
Heavy rainbands are already driving into the outer banks and coastal areas. At the town of New Bern, North Carolina, the first signs of the life-threatening storm surge are already evident as water pushes up the Neuse River to flood local streets and yards. Floods are now moving into the downtown business region.
As has to be restated so many times: With hurricanes, the wind is a threat, but it’s not the biggest threat. It’s water. Water in the form of surge, and flash floods, and river flooding. Florence is set to bring all three in quantity. Even if it drops to a Category 1, this will remain a very dangerous storm.
Shelters in the area have been expanded. If you’re still there, seek shelter. Following this storm, homes and businesses will remain under threat of flooding and both power and water may be out for an extended period. Take care.
For those around New Bern and Greenville, storm surge is going to be the first great threat as some areas are facing double-digits of water above ground level. All of the red areas on this map are looking at least 9 feet, and some of them much more. Water: Don’t drive in it, don’t walk in it, don’t think about how fun it would be to canoe in your street. Stay out of it.
The effects of flash flooding or river flooding may not be seen until after surge abates, or they may all compound each other in some areas. Just because the water is down at the moment, don’t assume it will stay that way.