Hurricane Florence is now a Category 4 storm with 140 mph winds, according to the latest update from the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), which warned that the storm will likely strengthen.
While there are no coastal warnings or watches in effect yet for the U.S. mainland, “interests in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic states should monitor the progress of Florence,” the agency advised.
Storm surge and hurricane watches may be issued for portions of South Carolina, North Carolina, and other southeastern states by the morning of Sept. 11. The west-northwest movement will “increase in forward speed” and is expected over the next few days, the NHC said.
“A turn toward the northwest is forecast to occur late Wednesday night. On the forecast track, the center of Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday (Sept. 12), and approach the coast of South Carolina or North Carolina on Thursday (Sept. 13),” said the agency.
“Data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts. Florence is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Further strengthening is anticipated, and Florence is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday,” the agency warned.
For Category 4 storms, “Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months,” says the weather agency.
But for a Category 5, it’s worse: “A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.”
The next update on Florence will come at 11 p.m. ET.
Mandatory Evacuations
The governor of South Carolina on Sept. 10 said that mandatory evacuations will start at Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 12 p.m. local time.South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said on Sept. 10 that evacuations for all coastal zones in the state will begin on Sept. 11, before Hurricane Florence hits.
McMaster said that road lane reversals will start at 12 p.m. on Sept. 11.
According to WMBF:
