Hurricane Florence Landfall (Current Conditions)

A Hurricane Florence landfall is getting closer this morning, Thursday, September 13, 2018.

Although Florence has weakened into a Category 2 storm, it remains a monster cyclone as it continues to approach the U.S. Southeast Coast. This morning, Hurricane Florence’s outer rain squalls have reached the outer banks.

More bands will continue moving across the coastline throughout the morning and afternoon. While things seem OK now, conditions will rapidly deteriorate. People along the immediate Carolina coast will see that deterioration today. Folks further inland and into Georgia will see that deterioration tonight and early Friday.

Hurricane Florence will likely produce extensive wind damage, life-threatening storm surge, and prolific rainfall across the Carolinas. We expect a true Hurricane Florence landfall late on Friday.

Preparing for Hurricane Florence Landfall

There are plenty of watches and warnings associated with Florence. First let’s go over Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings.

Hurricane Warnings and Storm Surge Warnings remain in place along the Carolina Coast. These warnings extend from the South Santee River in S.C. to Duck, N.C. Warnings also apply for the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, including the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers and North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Other areas under Hurricane Warnings include:

• New Bern, N.C.
• Jacksonville, N.C.
• Wilmington, N.C.
• Myrtle Beach, S.C.
• Conway, S.C.

Next there are some Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches. A Hurricane Watch and Storm Surge Watch are active in the following locations:

• Edisto Beach, S.C. to South Santee River, S.C.
• North of Duck, N.C. to the North Carolina/Virginia border

There are also some Tropical Storm Warnings. They’re in place north of Duck, N.C. to Cape Charles Light, V.A. There is also a Tropical Storm Warning active for the Chesapeake Bay south of New Port Comfort, V.A.

A Tornado Watch has been posted for eastern North Carolina, including the Outer Banks. This is because quick-moving tornadoes often develop in rain squalls. There is a lot to look out for when it comes to Hurricane Florence.

Hurricane Florence Current Info

As of 8 a.m. EDT (AST), extremely dangerous Hurricane Florence was located near 33.1 N and 75.1 W. This is about 170 miles east-southeast of Wilmington, N.C and about 220 miles east of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Hurricane Florence is packing top sustained winds of 110 mph. This makes it a powerful Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale.

It’s moving quickly northwest at 12 mph. Hurricane Florence’s minimum central pressure was 956 mb. This is 28.23 inches of mercury.

Hurricane Florence Landfall Confidence

Forecast confidence is growing for Florence to make landfall somewhere along the southeast North Carolina coastline overnight on Friday. Once inland, Florence will slow and steadily weaken, while moving to the west of southwest into the interior Carolinas over the weekend and early into next week.

This track will result in life-threatening and dangerous conditions for the Coastal Carolinas and southeastern Virginia. Hurricane-force winds will topple trees and power lines. They will also destroy buildings along the immediate coastline.

The wind is helped by the forecast storm surge. Storm surge as high as 9 to 13 feet will wash over coastal communities. Heavy rain will cause dangerous flash flooding. This flash flooding can occur even far inland from the immediate coastline.

Residents along the coast of the Carolinas and Virginia need to heed local official warnings and evacuate if ordered. Florence will be a dangerous hurricane at landfall and “riding out” the hurricane along the coast could cost you your life.

Future Forecast

Florence will also deliver prolific rainfall to the Carolinas. We’re looking at 20 to 30 inches of rain, even 40 inches in spots of northeastern South Carolina and coastal North Carolina. This would produce catastrophic flooding.

The rest of the Carolinas and southwest Virginia will potentially receive 6 to 12 inches of rain, but few spots could receive up to 2 feet of rain. Remember, if you encounter a water-covered roadway, be sure to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”

Coastal residents should have your hurricane safety plan completed and in place. Consider multiple evacuation routes from your area. This will help if your preferred route is jammed or blocked.

In addition, you should have a survival kit prepared. This should include:

• Medicine
• First-aid supplies
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Weather radio
• Water
• Non-perishable food

Here’s a hurricane checklist for communities to help you prepare. Remember to check back for the latest Hurricane Florence updates here on our blog our on social media.