Hurricane Florence has gone through an astonishingly rapid intensification process, now being categorized as a Category 3 storm. It continues to undergo a period of rapid intensification that could reach Category 5 strength and could hit anywhere from the Carolinas to the Mid-Atlantic by Thursday or Friday.
Computer models are currently projecting a range of landfall locations, so anywhere from South Carolina to Virginia are still in play. Hurricane Florence will be a very large storm, with damaging impacts far from the center. The storm is capable of producing 20-30+ inches of rain in the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic and possibly the D.C. area. It can also bring hurricane-force winds for more than a day about 350 miles in diameter or greater, extending inland from the landfall point.
Due to the strength and size of the storm, evacuations have been ordered. Dare County issued a mandatory evacuation order for all visitors and residents of Hatteras Island, which will go into effect Monday at 12 p.m. A mandatory evacuation order for those in other areas of Dare County goes into effect Tuesday at 7:00 a.m.
On Sunday, Governor Roy Cooper said emergency management teams and first responders were spread out across the state, working around the clock to prepare for Florence’s impact. Cooper is also encouraging people across the state to get ready for the incoming storm.
By: Maytinee Kramer
