New Bern, NC, locals were rescued after Hurricane Florence left them stranded

Authorities in the coastal city of New Bern, North Carolina, were working with federal stakeholders to rescue at least 150 residents who found themselves stranded in the storm surge of Hurricane Florence.

Colleen Roberts, information officer for the city of about 30,000, told Fox News that 200 people had been rescued to the extent that the Category 1 storm hit the area with high winds and a dangerous climb .

FEMA teams used boats in rescue operations and determined the most serious cases. Roberts said many residents live near the rivers Neuse and Trent.

Floods and a strong storm surge have caused more than 90 calls to the Craven County, North Carolina emergency operations center for residents stranded in vehicles and homes, said Amber spokeswoman Parker.

Intervention teams had already "brought buses" of people rescued from areas such as Fairfield Harbor, New Bern, Adams Creek and Township 7, she added.

Four shelters were currently open, Roberts said, adding that dispatchers had received a call for 17 people stranded on a street.

The storm was about 35 miles east of Wilmington, NS, and about 50 miles southwest of Morehead City, NB, the National Hurricane Center announced Friday.

The hurricane force winds extend for 80 miles from its center and the winds of the tropical storm force reach 195 miles.

The storm is likely to bring significant rains in the Carolinas, where some places could see more than 20 inches, the update said. This should cause "catastrophic floods and large and prolonged floods".

This is a story in development. Check back for updates.