September 13, 2018. As of 8 AM this morning, Hurricane Florence was located at 33.1° N and 75.1° W or about 170 ESE of Wilmington, NC traveling at 12 mph with Wind Speed of 110 mph. Florence is now a Cat 2 hurricane. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), “Squally rain bands with tropical storm force winds are moving onshore of the Outer Banks of NC…Life threatening storm surge and rainfall expected.”
Within the cone of uncertainty, the center of the cone takes Florence right over the middle of Wilmington, NC as a Cat 2 hurricane. Even though it is downgraded, the storm surge most likely will be very high. Those living near rivers and water need to evacuate immediately.
This morning, FOX News featured a man who lived on the beach at Myrtle Beach, SC who states that he and his friends are staying, having a hurricane party. This hurricane should be taken very seriously. Once the storm hits with the storm surge, rescuing stranded people on the beach will not occur. Intoxicated people most likely may have a hard time trying to save themselves from the storm surge and ultimately drown.
Going back in time, Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017, causing 125 Billion Dollars in damage and that was a Cat 2 hurricane. The NHC predicts that Florence will stall, drift, and then ultimately move north. More than 40 inches of rain may fall and massive flooding of Biblical proportions can be expected.
Virginia Beach has started to experience some wind. There is a Tropical Storm Warning in effect for Virginia Beach. Expect winds between 25-35 mph with gusts of 50 mph. Rain fall is predicted between 2 and 4 inches. Potential winds could be 39 to 57 mph. Flash flooding is likely to occur.
In Richmond, Virginia; expect some PM downpours today with a 60% chance of rain. On Friday, wind is expected at 18 mph with 30 mph gusts which can take out some trees with shallow roots. There is an 80% chance of rain. Tropical rain bands can be expected with thunderstorms. Emporia, Virginia can expect wind gust of 40 mph. Considering the ground is already saturated, expect flash flooding and localized flooding.
Although this is the current forecast, because of lack of steering winds, Hurricane Florence is expected to drift South and then move North. Virginia residents still need to stay prepared in the even the storm moves North much sooner than expected.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the residents of North and South Carolina. Please continue to pray, that God will diminish this storm.
References:
International Space Station, NASA-Photo Credit
The National Hurricane Center
Fox News
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