Florence forecast to become 'major hurricane', moving towards southeastern US

Hurricane Florence regained its strength Sunday as weather officials predicted it will turn into a "major" storm as soon as possible for a hit on the southeastern U.S. later this week.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Florence is "forecast to become a major hurricane on Monday," and is expected to grow larger and move faster over the next few days.

As of 5 pm Sunday, Florence was centered around 720 miles southeast of Bermuda and moving west at seven miles per hour. The storm crossed the 74 miles-per-hour threshold of tropical storm to hurricane Sunday morning, and by evening its winds were up to 85 mph. Forecasters warned that it could be a fearsome Category 4 with winds of 130 mph or more by Tuesday.

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The hurricane center said it's too early to know what the path would be, but it could hit the coast of the Carolinas by Friday.

"There is an increasing risk of two life-threatening impacts from Florence:" The Miami-based center said in the advisory.

Meteorologists warned that "large swells" hitting Bermuda and the eastern coast will continue throughout the week, which "will result in life-threatening surfing and rip currents."

Forecasters urged residents from South Carolina to the mid-Atlantic to get ready – and not just for a direct blow against the coast. They warned that Florence could slow down or come back ashore, with some forecasting models showing it could be a cause of death, causing devastating inland flooding.

The governors of North and South Carolina, along with Virginia, have declared states of emergency in preparation for the storm.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster emphasized that there is no way to know where and when the storm will hit land, or when evacuations might be called.

"We are preparing for the worst of the race and hoping for the best. Being prepared is always the best strategy, "McMaster said.

In Charleston, S.C., along the coast, city officials offered sandbags to residents. Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune urged people to secure their homes but said it would be too early to know if evacuations will be ordered.

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Myrtle Beach hardware stores, plywood and generators.

"Literally, they are filling in full water," Ryan Deeck, grocery department manager at Walmart, told The Sun News. "They're coming in and buying water and plates, and that's about all they're buying."

North Carolina officials started getting bulldozers and chain saws ready.

Florence's effects are already being felt along the coast, with dangerous swells and rip currents in some spots. On North Carolina's Outer Banks, the town of Nags Head

In Jacksonville, NC, about 20 miles from the coast, some residents picked up hurricane supplies during their normal weekend shopping, The Daily News reported. Ilija Cesal told the newspaper he would not worry about buying more water or other supplies for a few more days.

"I'll see by Wednesday how that goes – we got over 48 hours before that happens," Cesal said.

The U.S. Navy said in a news release Saturday Hampton Roads, Va. to leave the harbor to avoid storm damage. The plans could change in the strength of the storm.

Florence first became a Category 4 hurricane last week, the first of the 2018 Atlantic season. It's a little bit cooler than a tropical storm after experiencing strong wind shear and cooler waters.

Meanwhile, two other storms – Helene and Isaac – were following behind Florence in the Atlantic, but those storms were expected to be less of a threat to the US, forecasters said. Tropical Storm Helene is expected to become a hurricane in the next few days.

Fox News' Katherine Lam and Frank Miles and The Associated Press contributed to this report.