Hurricane Florence's Strengthening Targets the Southeast Coast of the United States

NEW YORK – Forecasters improved Sunday Tropical Storm Florence into a hurricane, saying it was getting stronger and targeting North Carolina and South Carolina, where it could hit the end of the week.

"We are expecting a rapid intensification of Florence tomorrow," said Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center. "We expect it to be a major hurricane when it reaches land on Thursday night or early Friday."

Monday, Florence was to intensify to become a Category 3 hurricane, with winds of 111 to 130 miles per hour, compared to Category 1 Sunday. On Sunday night, the center said Florence "would remain an extremely dangerous hurricane until Thursday."

Feltgen warned that heavy rains could be more damaging than high winds. He said Florence could be a "major event", affecting all of South Carolina in particular, not just its coasts, with "historic freshwater rains".

"There is every possibility of two potentially life-threatening impacts," he said. "The storm surge on the coast and the flood of fresh water caused by prolonged rain".

The National Hurricane Center advised residents of the southeast coast to prepare. Virginia and North and South Carolina have already declared the state of emergency.

"This is happening directly," said Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina at a press conference Sunday. "We are prepared for the nth degree. We will know more tomorrow, but based on what we know now, the situation is such that it is time to start preparations. "

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper also advised residents to prepare.

"Emergency management, transportation, health experts and other organizations are working to ensure that North Carolina is ready for the storm, and I urge the public to review your emergency and emergency plans. to supply you now. "

Hurricane Florence is in a period of strong weather, while forecasters followed Sunday four tropical storms in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

In the Atlantic, tropical storm Isaac was getting stronger and the National Hurricane Center was waiting for it to be turned into a hurricane by Sunday night. He was heading to the Caribbean, but no warning had been issued.

Tropical Storm Helene was close to the Cabo Verde Islands, off the coast of Africa, and had to go out at sea after crossing the islands.

In the Pacific, tropical storm Paul was southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Forecasters expected it to remain a tropical storm and head for the open waters.

A second tropical storm in the Pacific, Olivia, could threaten Hawaii in a few days, but it was too early to tell, Feltgen said.

Having five systems in the Western Hemisphere is quite common at this time of year. September 10 is considered the statistical peak of the hurricane season, Feltgen said, adding, "It's just as planned."

Last year at this time, hurricanes Irma, Jose and Katia spilled into the Atlantic basin.

"This is not unusual," Feltgen said. "But there is not a storm."

Separately, parts of Ohio saw nearly 9 inches of rain over the weekend, brought on by the remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon. Ben Gelber, a meteorologist with WCMH-TV, a NBC affiliate, described the rain as "really excessive," noting that most states were between 3 and 5 inches and some pockets had reached 9 inches.