The southern East Coast of the United States is bracing for Hurricane Florence as the storm — already packing winds of up to 140 mph — nears Category 5 strength: CNN
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More than a million people were asked to evacuate the path of Hurricane Florence in the US. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster told up to one million residents of the state’s eastern coast to leave their homes ahead of the storm’s possible arrival on Thursday.
The governor of neighbouring North Carolina ordered an evacuation of the Outer Banks, a popular tourist destination. A state of emergency was declared in Virginia.
The National Hurricane Center said in its advisory that the center of the hurricane was forecast to pass between Bermuda and the Bahamas today and tomorrow.
Hurricane Florence, the powerful Category 4 storm packing winds of 220 kilometers per hour has the potential to bring catastrophic flooding to areas of the eastern United States.
States of emergency declared in four states
States of emergency were declared in the Carolinas, Virginia and Maryland. In Maryland, where some coastal areas are still recovering from weather, Gov. Larry Hogan said flooding could be catastrophic if it hits the state.
“We are hoping for the best and preparing for the worst,” Hogan said.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper urged residents to prepare for lengthy power outages after the hurricane arrives and learn evacuation routes they may need to take. Six more North Carolina counties were placed under mandatory evacuation Monday night, hours after the first order in Hatteras Island. Certain areas of Brunswick, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, New Hanover, and Onslow counties are affected, and more orders are expected Tuesday.
“North Carolina is taking Hurricane Florence seriously, and you should, too,” Cooper said. “Action today can avoid losses due to Florence.”
In South Carolina, mandatory evacuation orders take effect Tuesday at noon in eight counties along the state’s 187-mile coastline. Starting then, all roads on I-26 and Route 501 will be directed away from the coast, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said.