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Hurricane Florence fast facts:
- Florence is a Category 3 hurricane "steadily" approaching the East Coast U.S.
- The Hurricane Center (NHC) says "Storm is forecast to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it's near the U.S. coast late Thursday and Friday"
- Florence was 389 miles southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina, and moving at 16 mph
- Storm's center will "approach the coast of North Carolina or South Carolina in the hurricane warning area Thursday and Friday, and move slowly to the coastline through Saturday," the NHC says
- The track has shifted somewhat south and west, throwing Georgia into peril as Florence moves inland
- More than 10 million residents in North and South Carolina and Virginia are under a storm watch or warning; 5.25 million people are under hurricane warnings and watches and another 4.89 million under the National Weather Service
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Communities along the Carolina coast prepared for the onslaught of Hurricane Florence as forecasters Wednesday warned that the monstrous storm could not be avoided just before.
The National Hurricane Center is projected to be hovering off the southern coast Saturday morning or so, about a day later than expected. The track also shifted somewhat south and west, throwing Georgia into peril as Florence moves inland.
On Wednesday afternoon, Georgia's governor declared a state of emergency.
"In light of the storm's forecasting afterward, I encourage Georgians to be prepared for storming storm surge in coastal areas," said Gov. Nathan Deal.
No storm watches or warnings are in effect for Georgia. But forecasters said there is an increased chance for tropical storm winds to reach Savannah.
Latest Hurricane Florence Advisory from the National Hurricane Center
On Wednesday night, the storm was centered over 385 miles (615 kilometers) southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina, moving at 16 mph. It is a category 3 hurricane with 120 mph maximum sustained winds, according to the NHC's 5 p.m. and advisory.
The center said life threatening storm surge and rainfall is expected.
"Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas tonight, and approach the coast of North Carolina or South Carolina in the hurricane warning area on Thursday and Friday, and move slowly near the coastline through Saturday, "the center said Wednesday.
The National Hurricane Center said some fluctuations in the strength of the storm will be possible through Thursday morning.
"Although slow weakening is expected to begin late Thursday, Florence is still forecast to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it comes to the US coast late Thursday and Friday," it said.
Some said they plan to stay put, but many are not taking any chances. Steady streams of vehicles full of people and belongings flowed inland Tuesday as North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper tried to convince everyone on North Carolina coast to flee.
"Do not bet your life on riding a monster," he said.
Hurricane Florence could inflict the hardest hurricane punch North Carolina has seen in more than 60 years. In 1954, the state was hit by a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Hazel.
"Hazel stands as a benchmark storm in North Carolina's history," said Jay Barnes, author of the North Carolina and Florida hurricane histories. "We had a tremendous amount of destruction all across the state."
President Donald Trump is urging those in Florence's path to "get out of its way."
"Do not play games with it." It's a big one, "he told residents.
In a videotaped message from the Rose Garden, he said the federal government and first responders stand ready to assist, but even so, "bad things can happen when you're talking about a storm this size."
Mr. Trump has declared the states of emergency for North and South Carolina and Virginia, opening the way for federal aid. All evacuations along the coast.
A view shows Ocean Boulevard empty of tourists after mandatory evacuations have been declared for South Carolina coastal areas of Hurricane Florence in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Sept. 11, 2018.
Reuters
Hurricane Florence flights and car travel
Getting out of harm's way has been found to be difficult.
Flight-tracking service FlightAware said Wednesday that it was starting to see airlines in Florence's path. As of early afternoon, total cancellations within, or out of the U.S. on Wednesday was 230, while 505 flights were canceled for Thursday, it said.
CBS News correspondent David Begnaud reported that people living in the barrier island community of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, were bracing for a possible direct impact.
"We got a long trip," Phillip Payne told Begnaud as he packed up his truck for the drive to Charlotte on Tuesday with his fiance and two dogs. "It's definitely a learning experience, but we're definitely getting better."
Long lines formed at service stations, and some started with Raleigh, with bright yellow bags, signs or rags over the pumps to show they were out of order. Some store shelves were picked clean.
"There's no water." Kristin Harrington said at Walmart in Wilmington.
Jazz Undy, Owner of Wrightsville Beach Art Co, Hurricane Florence, on Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina on Sept. 11, 2018.
Getty
People were not the only ones who escaped from the path of Hurricane Florence. Eight dogs and 18 cats from a shelter in Norfolk, Virginia, were sent to the United States by the hurricane.
The coastal surge from North Carolina under 9 feet – 2.75 meters – of water in spots, projections showed. The Navy, Air Force and Army were moving ships and aircraft out of harm's way. Thousands of Marines and their families evacuated from Camp Lejeune, leaving the rest to dig in ahead of what could be a direct hit.
Florence's projected path includes half a dozen nuclear power plants, pits holding coal-ash and other industrial waste, and numerous hog farms that store animal waste in huge lagoons. Duke Energy spokesman Ryan Mosier said operators would begin shutting down nuclear plants at least two hours before hurricane-force winds arrive.
The NWS said Florence "will likely be the storm of a lifetime for the Carolina coast." Diana, Hugo, Frank, Bonnie, Floyd and Matthew.
Adam Bazemore places sandbags in the doorways, Tue., Sept. 11, 2018, in the Willoughby Spit area of Norfolk, Va., As he makes preparations for Hurricane Florence.
AP
Four storms churning in the Atlantic
Florence is the most dangerous of tropical systems in the Atlantic. Tropical Storm Isaac was expected to pass south of Puerto Rico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba, while Hurricane Helene was moving northward away from land.
NHC announced Wednesday night that they are now monitoring a fourth storm in the Atlantic, which they named Subtropical Storm Joyce. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and is expected to become a storm. Joyce is centered about 870 miles (1.400 kilometers) southwest of the Azores and is moving southwest at 6 mph (9 kph).
Federal officials begged residents to put together emergency kits and have a plan on where to go.
"It's going to destroy homes," said Byard, the FEMA official.
He said Wednesday it was imperative that he was evacuating warnings and that the time to Florence is now.
"Today's the day," he said. "It's time for our citizens to be part of the team." Heed those warnings and evacuate if you're in one of the zones.
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