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Brady Dennis
Journalist specializing in environmental policy and public health issues
Susan Svrluga
Journalist covering higher education for Grade Point blog
Tropical Storm Florence, which landed as a hurricane Friday, flooded parts of the North Carolina coast with torrential and historic amounts of rain. Flood waters are expected to push many rivers to unprecedented levels and, to the mountains of western North Carolina and southwestern Virginia, could lead to potentially deadly landslides.
The storm was linked to several deaths, according to officials. Follow Hurricane Florence's itinerary here and read the latest forecasts here.
23:30: Water rescues continue as officials warn of overnight tornado risk
Hundreds of rescues took place Saturday night due to flooding from Florence, North Carolina Emergency Management said, urging people to say at home.
The National Meteorological Service has issued a tornado watch for some parts of the state during the night.
Saturday 20h18: Officials declare at least 11 dead in Florence
Tropical storm Florence, which hit the ground on Friday as a hurricane, was accused of causing at least 11 deaths on Saturday night as torrential rains continued to be felt in North Carolina and South Carolina.
On Saturday night, the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office issued a statement that he had confirmed seven storm-related deaths, including a 41-year-old woman and her seven-month-old son, who died Friday in Wilmington. a tree fell on their house. The state also listed the deaths of a 78-year-old man in Lenoir County, who died when he was electrocuted; a 77-year-old man from Lenoir County who fell and died as a result of a heart problem while he was checking dogs during the storm; an 81-year-old man from Wayne County who fell and hit his head packing his bags to evacuate; and a husband and wife who died in a house fire in Cumberland County.
Local authorities confirmed three additional deaths in North Carolina related to the storm. The Duplin County Sheriff's Office said two people died during the sudden flood of roads on Saturday; In Pender County, authorities said that a woman had died Friday morning while she was suffering a heart attack and that emergency teams were unable to reach her in time because of the trees. fallen and debris on the road.
In South Carolina, a 61-year-old woman was killed Friday night when the vehicle she was driving hit a tree, according to Governor Henry McMaster (R), who announced the death at a conference release on Saturday afternoon.
– Emily Wax-Thibodeaux
Saturday 8:15 pm: The famous chef José Andrés feeds people after Florence
Saturday 5:29 pm: "She loved this river. She lived a long time on this river. "
Waccamaw Drive is parallel to a swollen river of the same name. Almost all the houses along this long winding road at Conway, S.C., are several meters above the ground; most are built with high staircases leading to the front door.
But at least one house with hardwood floors and a living room overlooking the Waccamaw River was not built this way. Inside, Lisa Skipper was packing valuables in garbage bags that she and her husband, Ricky, were about to load into a U-Haul van parked at l & # 39; outside. Everything they could not bring – pots, pans, table lamps, pantries, bottles of alcohol and others – was placed on the kitchen counter, where the floods were less likely to achieve.
The Waccamaw is expected to increase significantly over the next few days, as Tropical Storm Florence continues to pour rain on the Carolinas. Locals also expect the rains that fall on the southern half of North Carolina to flow south through the 140-mile long river that runs through both states.
The National Weather Service forecasts that the river will reach a little over 19 feet by Wednesday, about a foot more than the record set by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. That year, one and a half feet of water spilled into the skippers' house.
The house, built in the early 1960s, belongs to Ricky Skipper's father, Earl, who was evacuated earlier this week. His son and daughter-in-law, who live in an elevated house down the street, stopped to prepare his home for what they think is the worst flood in years. The sentimental objects that had belonged to Earl Skipper's late wife, Frances, were transferred to a storage unit.
Ricky Skipper said he built new floors in his father's house just before Hurricane Matthew struck, and then replaced them. Now, they expect to have to start again. Lisa Skipper says that Earl Skipper likes to live in the house because his wife loved him. He likes to live near the river because his wife has found the pleasure of fishing.
"She loved this river," said Lisa looking out the window of the almost empty living room. "She lived on this river for a long time."
And so, after the waters rise and recede, the Skippers will come back to this house by the river, as they have always done.
– Kristine Phillips
Saturday 17h11: Sesame Street tries to provide emotional shelter to children affected by the storm
For thousands of children who have been touched by Florence or have seen threatening reports of high winds and massive floods, the Weather Channel and Sesame Workshop have teamed up to help parents comfort their children and give more the hope to the neighborhoods adventure.
In a video here, Elmo joins Stephanie Abrams, Weather Channel presenter, to talk about hurricanes – "a very strong storm with lots of rain and wind" and why they can feel so stressful and scary.
They also demonstrate how to make an emergency kit – with snacks, a box of juice and their favorite toy – and to whom to go for help in the event of an emergency. "The most important thing is to stay safe and stay together," says Abrams.
The video is part of Sesame Workshop's "Sesame Street in Communities" initiative, which helps parents talk to their children about difficult topics such as divorce.
– Emily Wax-Thibodeaux
Saturday 15.59: Transportation official: Off-state drivers should avoid North Carolina
On Saturday afternoon, the head of the North Carolina Department of Transportation issued a startling call asking travelers from the north and south to avoid the state entirely.
"We are asking those traveling through North Carolina to avoid North Carolina," said Jim Trogdon. "It's what we need to do today to make sure that motorists are safe."
Trogdon suggested that travelers essentially tour the state, passing through Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia, if necessary. Primarily, he said that he wanted to prevent drivers from being stranded by the rising waters and keeping the roads as clear as possible for rescuers.
He said that state-wide roads continued to pour out quickly – the number of closures nearly doubled in a few hours on Saturday. Even major arteries such as Highways 40 and 95 have been affected and the situation is likely to worsen.
"Road conditions in most of our state will deteriorate rapidly in the coming days," said Trogdon. He noted that for nearly three decades with the department, "I've never seen flash floods like this happens in our state."
Governor Roy Cooper echoed calls for drivers – from North Carolina or elsewhere – to stay as far from the road as possible.
"All roads in the state are in danger of being flooded," Cooper said at a news conference in the afternoon. "The roads you think you can be safe can be washed away in minutes."
– Brady Dennis
Saturday 2:55 pm: South Carolina reports the first death related to Florence
A 61-year-old woman died Friday after hitting a fallen tree on Highway 18 in South Carolina, becoming the first state death related to Florence.
Officials said that Amber Dawn Lee, of Union, had struck the tree at around 9:40 pm, shortly after being shot down by storm winds. The region is located in northern South Carolina, far from the coast.
"Our prayers and hearts go out to his family and loved ones," Governor Henry McMaster (R) said at a press conference Saturday afternoon. "We are really sorry."
Captain Kelley Hughes, of the SSC's highway patrol, said in an interview that locals had tried to warn drivers of the fallen tree, which was hard to see in the dark. He said Lee was dead on the scene. There were no passengers with her in the car.
Joel Morris, who lives near the scene of the accident, told a local TV station, WYFF, that he had seen the tree fall and was able to signal a driver to turn around. He told the station that when Lee's pickup approached, he stood on the road and flashed his flashlight but failed to stop it.
The van hit the tree, which Mr. Hughes said hung about six feet above the road.
The accident brings the death toll from Florence to at least six. Five deaths in North Carolina were also attributed to the storm.
– Brady Dennis
Saturday 2:10 pm: A refuge springs from a leak, a Waffle House offers comfort in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The roof of a shelter sheltering about 200 people in Wilmington, North Carolina, leaked Friday at the height of Florence and pleased the locals and their dogs.
Officials from New Hanover County said they evacuated about 150 residents to another shelter on Saturday morning, as it was too dangerous to do so at the height of the storm. Approximately 50 people chose to stay because the shelter at Trask Middle School accepts pets, unlike the others. Around 600 people are staying in local shelters.
"We made the right decision not to move people at the height of the storm," said Chris Coudriet, the county director. "There is no structural problem with the building. Is it wet? Yes, but the building itself is structurally sound.
Rain continues to pour over this area, where officials warn that an extra 14 inches, in addition to the already dropped 10 to 12 inches, are expected in the next 48 hours. The Cape Fear River is expected to peak on Monday or Tuesday at a depth of 25.8 feet.
Representatives of counties and local authorities said at a press conference that they were satisfied with the response from the state and the federal government, but also argued that these agencies would visit the Wilmington area on as soon as possible.
"We are just getting into the thick of things," said Woody White, chairman of the New Hanover County Commission. "Overall, we survived that … but we're still in the middle."
Wrightsville Beach Mayor Bill Blair said his community had suffered significant damage, "but the structural damage is not as bad as it looks" on social media. Access to the famous beach is always limited to police, firefighters, government and repair teams. Blair said the teams were working on reopening the water and sewer systems.
People were lining up to eat hot food and coffee in a Wilmington. N.C., Waffle House, the only restaurant open in the area. Many said that they just wanted to get out of the house. (Patricia Sullivan / The Washington Post)
In Wilmington proper, fallen trees and power lines block many roads and traffic lights are almost everywhere. About 112,000 people, out of 127,000 locally, remain without electricity, and Duke Energy officials warned Friday that it could run out weeks before power is fully restored.
The locals, struggling with cabin fever after a full day inside, began venturing out despite the authorities' calls to stay off the road. In one of the few companies open on Saturday, nearly two dozen people lined up in front of a Waffle House on Market Street, looking for hot food and a chance to go out.
"My kids are tired of the peanut butter and jam sandwich," said April Bellamy, 38.
– Patricia Sullivan
Saturday 1:23 pm: "The worst is yet to come." As rivers rise, a new series of mandatory evacuations.
Before authorities fear more than 45 inches of rain will fall in parts of North Carolina, at least three local governments want residents to seek safer land. Cumberland County, Fayetteville City and Wade City issued a mandatory evacuation order for all people living within one mile of the banks of the Cape Fear River and Little River, in Cumberland County. of life."
"There is a risk of life-threatening flooding, and those who live in the area are at imminent danger from the floodwaters that will be coming soon," the city's spokesman said. Fayetteville, Nathan Walls. "Although the storm appears on the surface to be less intense than expected, this is not the case. The worst is yet to come, as flood waters from other areas accumulate in the north of the county and fill the watersheds beyond their capacity. "
Walls said people who do not consider the evacuation order "do it at their own risk" because first responders may not be able to reach the flooded areas in case of emergency.
"This one is deadly," Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin warned, saying people close to the evacuation zones "must be out or risk being stranded – no one can pick you up for hours." days".
Police and firefighters go through risky neighborhoods and explain why people have to leave, he said.
"We try to make it clear that it's deadly," Colvin said during a phone interview. "At the end of the day, we can not force people to leave, but we let them know if they do not go out, they will not get help for a while and we can not help them this way. of danger.
He said residents "suffered this trauma in 2016 during Hurricane Matthew when the river reached a height of 52 inches" and that four people died during a flash flood.
"It's an even bigger risk," Colvin said.
The warnings echo those of state leaders earlier Saturday asking residents that the most devastating effects of Florence could come in the coming days, as the threat of flooding grows. The state has asked residents to monitor this site, which shows the rivers going up and allows people to sign up for flood alerts.
– Emily Wax-Thibodeaux and Brady Dennis
Saturday 12:41: In a hotel, the hospitality in the middle of worries: "When we are under our umbrella, we take care of you"
As soon as Florence reached Robeson County, about 75 miles inland, Friday afternoon, essential services began to fall like dominoes. The lights flashed and then came out. The county issued a notice to boil all the water. Most people have lost their cell phone service and, therefore, their connection to the outside world.
But the loss of electricity could not prevent the hospitality of the South. At 9 am on Saturday, Holiday Inn Express staff from Pembroke, North Carolina, went from room to room to inform guests that breakfast was served. The guests – many locals who had been inundated during Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and decided not to stay at home through another storm – wandered downstairs to find a buffet of scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage and oatmeal.
Samantha Locklear, the housekeeper, had brought all the food from the house and had it cooked on a gas grill.
"When we are under our umbrella," said Tiffany Booth, hotel manager, "we take care of you."
The guests ate at tables lit by tealights, speaking calmly of the storm.
Melinda Jacobs had been awake most of the night, frightened by howling wind and photos posted by Facebook friends on flooded roads, signs torn from shop fronts and tree branches on crushed cars.
"I thought," I do not understand how Noah managed 40 days and 40 nights like that, "she said.
This summer, she moved to live with relatives living near the beach in Ocean Isle, one of the communities subject to a mandatory evacuation order. Early reports on the coast suggest that her city has suffered winds of 70 mph and storm surges of several feet, but she does not know how her home came from.
Sunday is the 42nd birthday of Jacobs. She has no idea where she will be or what she will still have.
"It's annoying," she said, "not knowing what everyone is doing, wondering if I have a place to go back to."
– Sarah Kaplan
Saturday 12h07: For a couple and two pets, an escape from the rising waters
Denise and Jerry Railling had stayed in their one-story home in New Bern, North Carolina, while water was reaching their knees.
On Saturday, a rescuer brought Denise first, sitting in front of a jet ski, holding her cat, Boo Boo, in a thick tanning blanket. Denise was barefoot. She said she prayed a lot in recent days.
"We will find clothes for you, hot food," said Ryan Bartholomew, a volunteer lifeguard from Sacramento.
Denise's husband came next, wearing a pair of sky blue Crocs.
"We decided to go out when they said that there was sewage in the water," Jerry said.
On dry land, he leaned against his Chevrolet SUV, which he parked on high on Wednesday afternoon. Then the rescue team made one last trip to her home, this time to pick up the bitch, Snookie, who was riding on the water scooter with a bright red lifejacket around her neck.
Jerry said that he could not find the words to describe what he had seen. Then he chooses two: "extreme chaos".
"Look," he said.
– Rachel Siegel
Saturday 11:35: Florence breaks record in North Carolina for most rains in a single storm – 30 inches and counting
More than 30 inches of rain fell in North Carolina, according to preliminary reports submitted to the National Weather Service, which would break the 24.06-inch rainfall records set during Hurricane Floyd in 1999.
Since Friday night, flash flood emergencies – the most critical category of flood warning – are in effect in several countries. Up to 50 inches of rain could fall Sunday in southeastern North Carolina, which constitutes the zero point of Florence's most devastating effects.
A weather observer of citizens posted a total of 30.58 inches of rain at Swansboro, in Onslow County. If it were verified, the amount would be a state record for a tropical storm or hurricane and would break the old 24-inch record – located near Wilmington during Floyd. Many places in southeastern North Carolina are at risk of breaking the old record when the rain ends.
The Capital Weather Gang reports:
Despite its weakened tropical storm status, Florence flooded parts of the North Carolina coast with torrential and historic amounts of rain. Many areas of southeastern North Carolina have suffered from 15 to 30 inches of rain and 15 more could fall.
The rain causes a catastrophic flood in southeastern North Carolina, which spreads into the interior of the country, into the towns of Raleigh and Charlotte. The event has already broken the state record for most rains ever seen in a tropical storm or hurricane, with a preliminary ratio of over 30 inches.
Flood waters are expected to push many rivers to unprecedented levels and, to the mountains of western North Carolina and southwestern Virginia, could lead to potentially deadly landslides.
For more details, click here.
– Brady Dennis and Angela Fritz
Saturday 11:15: Governor N.C .: "Know that water rises fast."
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) warned Saturday morning that while the most devastating winds of hurricane Florence have dissipated, the most serious threat of the storm remains: water.
"Know that water rises fast – everywhere, even in places that usually do not flood, "Cooper said at a late morning press conference, adding that Florence is depositing" epic "amounts of rainfall on the state. .
He also said that the most serious effects would probably occur, as the rivers would continue to rise and expand even after the storm had passed. Cooper warned residents in most of the state – from Fayetteville east to Asheville to the west – do not indulge in complacency.
"Many people who think the storms missed them have not yet seen his threat," he said, adding that officials "expect floods and landslides." potential tonight and Monday. "
Cooper and state transportation director James H. Trogdon III pleaded with residents to stay out of the way, warning that conditions would deteriorate rapidly with rising water levels. Trogdon said the main roads in many counties are already impassable, and he expects a "significant" number of road closures in the coming days.
– Brady Dennis
Saturday 10h37: In a quiet seaside town, hunting for seashells and waiting for departure from Florence
The streets of Myrtle Beach remained deserted and businesses remained closed on Saturday morning as city and county officials urged residents to stay in emergency shelters and off the road. Unlike parts of North Carolina, this popular tourist site on the coast of South Carolina has hardly suffered from Florence. The ocean is booming, but floods have so far spared the streets near the shoreline.
Joe Gacioch, 30, and his girlfriend, Ashley Gash, 23, who live a few miles inland and have decided to stay despite evacuation orders, went to the beach to collect shells. They parked on the empty boardwalk near the restaurant where Gash works.
"I have my shells!" Said Gash brandishing a Ziplock bag.
Gacioch said he did not think the rain was as bad as expected and that local and state authorities may have reacted by evacuating a large part of the city. "But again, I understand why they did that. They are concerned about the safety of people, "he said. "The governor, he did what he had to do. He is supposed to make sure everyone is safe. "
Still, city officials have insisted that the storm is far from over. During the night, some roads in the city were flooded and 60 cases of property damage, including fallen trees, power lines and broken traffic lights, were reported. But until now, officials have said that the damage remained minimal.
"We want [people] at [be] back home as soon as possible, "said the city in a message on Facebook. "But first, Florence has to leave."
– Kristine Phillips
Saturday 10:07 AM: "It's raining a lot," warns FEMA
While the speed of the Florence winds decreased during its crossing of the Carolinas, the authorities have repeatedly warned residents not to take this as a sign of the disappearance of the danger.
"The way a hurricane is ranked is based on the wind," said Jeff Byard, associate director of FEMA, at a briefing Saturday morning. "The wind can hurt you. . . but it's the water, it's the climb, it's the rain that makes and can kill you more than the wind can do in a hurricane.
Byard's message has been repeated many times by state and federal authorities in recent days, in the context of Florence's deterioration as its wind speed decreased, as it continued to create threats of flooding and flooding. storm surges.
"It's a massive storm that has put a lot of rain and a lot of water on our shores, inland," Byard said. "There is a lot of rain coming, there is a lot of rain that has fallen."
As he spoke, Florence continued its slow progression in South Carolina, a steady trajectory that is expected to continue on Saturday.
"This thing will not go up the hill, it will not move away and we continue to receive abundant amounts of rain," Byard said.
The first two questions in Saturday's presentation were about FEMA Administrator William "Brock" Long, who was not present but who was monitored during an internal investigation into his use of government vehicles.
Byard, asked if Long will stay in his position, said: "Our director is our director. He gave our team very clear indications that the focus is on Florence. I want to make sure that I echo that. . . FEMA is clearly committed, we know where we need to focus, that is, response and recovery.
– Mark Berman
Saturday 8:52 AM: Trump approves disaster declaration for North Carolina
The White House announced Saturday morning that President Trump had approved a disaster declaration for North Carolina a day earlier, an order that opens federal funding, including housing and repair grants.
The governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper (D), on Thursday called for such a statement, writing in the request that officials of his state "were overwhelmed by the preparedness and expected severity of the hurricane".
In a statement announcing his request on Thursday, Cooper said, "We know this massive storm will cause incredible damage and I call on Washington to act quickly so that the federal recovery assistance can intervene as soon as possible.
– Mark Berman
Saturday 8:40 am: 385 saved by the floods in New Bern, the city says
This city has been badly affected by the bad weather of the Florence storm, with intense floods causing hundreds of rescues in the city, which has a city center flanked by two rivers.
Saturday morning, 385 people were rescued, according to Colleen Roberts, a spokesman for the city. She said shortly after 8 am that the authorities were trying to determine how many people were still to be rescued; Rescue teams working on Saturday were pulled off as they determined how many people needed to be rescued, Roberts said.
[How water damages a flooded house — and what can be saved]
Plus de 1 200 personnes étaient dans des abris samedi matin, a déclaré Roberts, ajoutant que le couvre-feu de 24 heures était toujours en place.
Sheena Jordan a déclaré que la tempête avait eu un impact infernal sur son quartier de New Bern. Elle a dit qu’il y avait des inondations dans sa cour, mais elle ne sait pas à quelle profondeur.
Elle a un gallon d’eau potable chez elle, mais elle ne sait pas combien de temps cela va durer entre quatre personnes. Elle sait que l’eau à New Bern continuera à augmenter, mais elle ne sait pas comment elle pourrait se rendre dans un refuge si elle devait partir.
Jordan a quitté sa voiture à l’hôtel DoubleTree, où elle travaille comme femme de ménage. Elle a dit qu’elle ne sait pas quand son pouvoir s’est éteint ou quand elle recevra son prochain chèque de paie.
Alors qu'elle était assise sur son porche, son neveu se précipita hors de la porte d'entrée et courut vers la cour de récréation dans la rue. L’eau était si haute qu’il ne pouvait pas voir le bas de la balançoire.
Peu de temps après que la ville de New Bern ait été touchée par la montée des eaux, les appels paniqués ont commencé alors que les gens commençaient à chercher des secours, une situation qui a retenu l’attention du pays. Le gouverneur de la Caroline du Nord, Roy Cooper (D), s’exprimant sur l’impact de la tempête vendredi matin, a souligné ce qui s’était passé, affirmant que «l’onde de tempête à elle seule a submergé la ville de New Bern».
– Mark Berman à Washington et Rachel Siegel à New Bern.
Samedi 8h14: Florence «lentement» à travers la Caroline du Sud
Les feux de détresse d’une voiture abandonnée clignotent alors qu’elle se trouve immergée dans des eaux de crue montantes tôt samedi matin. (Jonathan Drake / Reuters)
La tempête tropicale Florence «se déplaçait lentement dans l'est de la Caroline du Sud» samedi matin, provoquant des «inondations catastrophiques» dans les Carolines, selon le Centre national des ouragans.
Selon le bulletin du matin du centre, Florence devrait laisser tomber des pluies intenses sur des bandes de Caroline du Nord et de Caroline du Sud, avec des prévisions allant jusqu’à 30 ou 40 pouces dans certaines zones côtières.
"Cette pluie continuera à produire des inondations catastrophiques et des crues prolongées", a indiqué le centre.
Samedi à minuit, près de deux pieds de pluie ont été signalés à Newport, au nord du pays, a indiqué le centre. Même loin de la plus intense portée de la tempête, certaines parties des Carolines et de la Virginie pouvaient voir jusqu'à 15 pouces de pluie. Selon le bulletin, les ondes de tempête constituent également un danger permanent d'inondation des zones qui seraient autrement sèches.
La vitesse du vent de Florence a diminué, provoquant la dégradation du système en une tempête tropicale, mais les vents de la force de la tempête tropicale s’étendent toujours jusqu’à 175 miles du centre. Des rafales de 51 mi / h ont été signalées en Caroline du Nord, selon le bulletin. La tempête continue de se déplacer vers l'ouest à un rythme lent et lent, et ce mouvement de poursuite se poursuivra tout au long de samedi, selon le centre des ouragans.
– Mark Berman
Samedi 6h58: Près de 1 million de pannes de courant dans les Carolines
Tandis que le soleil se levait sur les Carolines samedi matin, près d’un million de pannes de courant ont été signalées en Caroline du Nord et en Caroline du Sud, selon des responsables de l’Etat.
Ces pannes se sont produites alors que l’assaut de la tempête se poursuivait samedi, Florence déversant encore plus de pluie et apportant encore plus de vents violents aux deux États. Plus de 951 000 pannes de courant ont été enregistrées dans les deux États, ont indiqué des responsables, nombre qui a augmenté dans les heures précédant l’aube.
La plupart de ces pannes ont été signalées en Caroline du Nord, selon le Département de la sécurité publique de ce pays. L'agence a indiqué que 786 000 personnes manquaient de puissance, avec la plus forte concentration de pannes dans une poignée de comtés, y compris New Hanover, Brunswick, Onslow, Carteret, Cumberland, Robeson, Sampson et Wake.
En Caroline du Sud, la Division de la gestion des situations d'urgence a annoncé samedi matin que plus de 165 000 ménages étaient privés d'électricité en raison de la tempête.
Les responsables des compagnies d’électricité ont averti cette semaine que pas moins de 3 millions de personnes pourraient être privées d’énergie à cause de la tempête, tandis que les autorités ont averti les habitants de s’attendre à des pannes qui pourraient durer des jours.
– Mark Berman
Samedi 6h35: Les évacués des ouragans font de longs voyages, de longs séjours à la recherche de sécurité
Pour les personnes qui ont quitté la maison à cause de Florence, remplissant des abris dans le sud-est, ces évacuations marquent souvent le début de longs voyages difficiles:
Lorsque Florence a frappé les Carolines vendredi, apportant des vents de 100 km / h, plus de 10 pieds d’ondes de tempête et des quantités de pluie désastreuses, environ 20 000 personnes ont trouvé refuge dans l’un des 200 abris de la Croix-Rouge de la région. Torriani, une porte-parole régionale de l'organisation. À travers les Carolines et la Géorgie, plusieurs autres grandes installations publiques et des camps de fortune ont été ouverts pour servir ceux qui avaient fui leurs maisons.
Certains patients avaient des problèmes cardiaques, certains étaient enceintes, d'autres avaient besoin de médicaments constants. Selon Amy Eathington, une infirmière à la retraite et une volontaire de la Croix-Rouge, l'âge varie d'un nourrisson âgé d'un jour à une femme de 100 ans. «Cela ressemble beaucoup au travail dans une salle d’urgence», a déclaré Eathington.
Head here to read more.
Saturday 5:50 a.m.: Rain is picking up along North Carolina’s southeastern coast, as heavy bands of precipitation move inland off the Atlantic with Tropical Storm Florence. The National Weather Service says the heavy rainfall will add an additional 6 to 10 inches to these areas, exacerbating already serious flooding, by 11 a.m. Saturday.
“Life-threatening storm surge” is expected to continue along portions of the North Carolina coast today, and “life-threatening, catastrophic flash floods and prolonged, significant river flooding” will go on for days, threatening areas from the coast west into the central Appalachian Mountains, where landslides are also possible.
Wind is also picking up in some areas of the North and South Carolina coast, and tornado watches and warnings are in effect across several counties.
There are now 780,964 people without power in North Carolina, according to the state’s Department of Public Safety.
— Abigail Hauslohner
Saturday 4:30 a.m.: Rivers are rising and nearly a million households have lost power
Rivers are rising across North and South Carolina, with several expected to crest higher than they did two years ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, leaving standing floodwater in some rural communities for weeks.
The National Weather Service has announced more flash flood emergencies in Onslow and Duplin counties in North Carolina.
More than 940,000 households are without power across North and South Carolina, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and South Carolina’s Division of Emergency Management. More than 80 percent of the outages so far are in North Carolina.
— Abigail Hauslohner
Saturday 2:30 a.m.: New daily rainfall record in Fayetteville, N.C.
The National Weather Service has reported a new daily rainfall record of 3.11 inches set at Fayetteville Regional Airport, about 100 miles inland from the coast, on the banks of the Cape Fear River. It broke the old record of 2.92 inches set in 1984.
Tropical storm Florence is now moving slowly inland at 5 miles per hour over far eastern South Carolina, as it continues to dump rain over a wide radius spanning both Carolinas in volumes that are expected soon to surpass other records set by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Florence is dropping one to three inches of rain an hour in some places, according to the National Weather Service.
— Abigail Hauslohner
[A Coast Guard officer on Florence duty made a hand gesture on TV. Some saw a white-power sign.]
Saturday 12:23 a.m.: 773,903 are without power across North Carolina
At least 773,903 households were without electricity at midnight, reported the North Carolina Emergency Management Agency. Breakdowns were most concentrated in New Hanover, Brunswick, Wake, Onslow, Carteret, Pender, Robeson and Wayne Counties. The updates are available here.
Most of these counties were also subject to a curfew overnight, as part of a series of flash floods.
The National Weather Service has issued a map of road closures in the Morehead City area – not to alert residents to specific road closures, but to "emphasize how serious it is".
— Abigail Hauslohner
Read more Florence coverage:
North Carolina braces for Florence’s devastating deluge
For small-town Carolinians, the question isn’t when they’ll rebuild — but whether they will at all
‘We face walls of water’: Communities in North Carolina band together to face Florence
Tracking Florence’s deluge in real time
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