Video: Watch Reporter Wade Through Hurricane Florence Floodwaters

Brian Todd, a CNN reporter, was reporting live in North Carolina as Hurricane Florence hit.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said at 10 p.m. special update on Thursday, Sept. 13, that hurricane conditions are hitting parts of Cape Lookout, North Carolina.

The situation in the area is deteriorating quickly.

“A NOAA observing site at Cape Lookout, North Carolina, recently reported a sustained wind of 83 mph (133 km/h) and a gust to 101 mph (163 km/h). A private weather station in Davis, North Carolina, recently reported a sustained wind of 79 mph (127 km/h) and a wind gust of 98 mph (158 km/h),” the NHC said.

It added: “A Weatherflow station at Fort Macon, North Carolina, recently reported a sustained wind of 71 mph (114 km/h) and a wind gust of 100 mph (160 km/h). Water levels continue to rise quickly on the western side of Pamlico Sound.”

“A gauge at Oriental, North Carolina, on the Neuse River is recording a water height of about 6.0 feet above normal levels.”

The flooding of the Neuse River in New Bern forced evacuations, including WCTI meteorologists during a live TV stream.

The Neuse, according to the National Weather Service at 8:25 p.m., is at major flood stage and is expected to rise as heavy rains lash the area.

Hurricane Florence’s front edge battered the North Carolina coast, bending trees and shooting frothy sea water over streets on the Outer Banks, as the hulking storm closed in with 100 mph (155 kph) winds for a drenching siege that could last all weekend, according to The Associated Press.

Tens of thousands were without power, AP reported.

“On days 4 and 5, Florence is expected to become an extratropical low as it interacts with a front while moving northward and northeastward along the Appalachian Mountains. The official forecast track is similar to, but slightly south of the previous advisory track through 72 hours, with little change indicated on days 4 and 5,” says the NHC.

The storm currently about 50 miles southeast of Morehead City, North Carolina. It’s moving slowly at 5 mph northwest.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.