States of emergency declared and more than a million people living along the coastlines of South Carolina and Virginia have been ordered to evacuate on Tuesday, before the expected arrival of Hurricane Florence.
Forecasters predict it will make landfall sometime late Thursday. Hurricane Florence is expected to bring potentially catastrophic winds, flooding and storm surge. It is a Category 4 storm and the most powerful to menace the region in nearly three decades.
Authorities also warned of life-threatening coastal storm surges and the potential for Florence to unleash prolonged torrential rains and widespread flooding across several states, especially if it lingers inland for several days.
The U.S. military said it was sending an advance team to Raleigh, North Carolina, to coordinate with federal and state partners. It said about 750 military personnel would be designated to provide support.
The U.S. Navy said it was sending nearly 30 ships from coastal Virginia out of port to ride out the storm.
Emergency management officials reported waves already starting to crash over the islands’ main highway where dunes were breached by heavy surf, slowing traffic to a crawl.
U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration was criticized as being slow to respond to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico last year, cancelled a political rally planned for Friday in Jackson, Mississippi, over safety concerns related to Florence, his campaign said.
Trump said in a Twitter message,” the storm looks very bad! Please take all necessary precautions.” He also write he has spoken to the governors of North and South Carolina and Virginia, adding: “Federal government stands by, ready to assist.”
The South Carolina governor Henry McMaster ordered the evacuation of coastal areas to start at noon on Tuesday as Hurricane Florence approaches. He said “And when it hits the Gulf Stream in warmer water, it’s going to [intensify] even more.”
North Carolina governor Roy Cooper said, “Take steps now,” “We do know that we’re in the bull’s-eye.”
1 million to Move as Hurricane Florence Nears US Coast
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