Hurricane Florence Live Updates: Catastrophic Floods Fear Storm



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Authorities confirmed five storm-related deaths, including a mother and a child who were killed after a tree fell home in Wilmington, North Carolina on Friday.

• Hundreds of people in New Bern, North Carolina, were rescued from the floods that flooded homes and washed away vehicles. According to the National Weather Service, other floods are expected to occur in eastern North Carolina, as well as in more inland areas, such as Fayetteville and Charlotte.

• See photos of the storm and its effects on the Carolinas.

• The New York Times offers open and unlimited access to our coverage of Hurricane Florence and Typhoon Mangkhut. Catch up the rest of our blanket.

The roads are flooded by the rains that water Wilmington, N.C.

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Heavy rain in Wilmington, N.C.

Credit
Tamir Kalifa for the New York Times

The waters of the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina, were gray and gray at dawn on Saturday as the hurricane rain of Florence continued to irritate the city and gusts of wind were blowing in. almost deserted streets.

With precipitation forecasts of up to 20 inches, roads have been flooded in some low-lying areas and along the banks of streams and rivers. Relief authorities warned that widespread floods were still a threat as the flocks of Florence swept the city to South Carolina.

On Water Street, along the downtown Cape Fear waterfront, streams began to form early Saturday. Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo said the river should be on the peak next week. Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina said the Cape Fear River could cause floods as severe as Hurricane Matthew, which flooded several cities in eastern North Carolina in 2016.

Roads ranging from six-lane highways to winding Wilmington streets were blocked by fallen trees and power lines, creating road hazards as municipal and departmental authorities struggled to have the demining teams and the US They were hoping to be up to date here Saturday.

At least 106,000 of Duke Energy's 127,000 customers in and around New Hanover County were without power, officials said Friday. There was virtually no gasoline available in the area after closing stations and winding up their plastic pumps.

Chief Ralph Evangelous of the Wilmington Police Department urged residents to stay on the street. A curfew was in effect from 22 hours. at 6 o'clock

"Stay inside, it's dangerous," he said.

County director Chris Coudriet said the emergency response system was flooded with calls from citizens seeking help or advice. He provided a separate telephone number for non-urgent requests to free the answering machines of the most serious calls.

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A tree falling in a house in Wilmington, North Carolina, killed a woman and her baby.

Credit
Eric Thayer for the New York Times

"This storm is not over yet," said Coudriet, warning of rain and persistent winds throughout the day.

Most of the inhabitants obeyed the authorities and stayed in dark houses. Many portable generators have been turned on for temporary power.

Keen Grady, one of the few downtown residents in the early evening, was en route with a friend at the local Waffle House restaurant under the impression that it was open even during the storm. But a fallen tree was blocking the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, closed and dark.

Asked why he had ventured outside under such conditions, Mr. Grady replied, "We are just spoiled Americans."

Florence brings historical floods

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