A new report from an Air Force Reserve Unit hurricane hunter aircraft indicates that Hurricane Florence’s top winds have slightly decreased to 130 mph (215 kph), with higher gusts. Florence still remains a Category 4 hurricane and is expected to regain its top wind strength within the next few days. It has been described as an extremely dangerous and major hurricane so far. It is probably one of the most strongest storms the country has recorded in a while.
Measures were taken to evacuate more than a million in the eastern United on Tuesday.
Evacuation orders in effect for coastal areas of NC. But before leaving… Carolina Beach residents are waiting in line to get ID cards so they can get back on the island after the storm. Folks told line moving slow bc 4 workers already evacuated. (📷 Joe Cipalla) pic.twitter.com/frloEjFNrw
— Kaylee Hartung (@KayleeHartung) September 11, 2018
“This is one of the worst storms to hit the East Coast in many years,” President Donald Trump warned on Twitter. “Please be prepared, be careful and be SAFE!”
Governor of South Carolina, Henry McMaster ordered approximately one million coastal residents to leave their homes ahead of the storm’s expected arrival on Thursday. Additionally, Schools were ordered closed from Tuesday.
Evacuations have also been made in neighbouring North Carolina on the outer banks, barrier islands which are a popular tourist destination. Other states that have called for evacuations include the state that houses the major government and military facilities, Virginia. 245,000 coastal residents were ordered to evacuate by 08.00am on Tuesday.
“Hurricane Florence has the potential to cause catastrophic flooding, especially in our coastal areas,” Virginia Governor Ralph Northam said, activating the National Guard. “This evacuation is for the safety of thousands of Virginians living in that zone. But the effects of this storm will be felt statewide, and I encourage everyone in Virginia to prepare now.”
In neighboring Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said that, in declaring an emergency, his state was readying for potentially “historic and catastrophic rainfall, life-threatening flooding, and high winds.”
Emergency declarations for both North and South Carolina have been approved by President Trump , allowing the release of federal funds and equipment in order to aid in protection. Furthermore, the federal government will be on standby to assist at all times.
Hurricane Florence has the potential to bring dangerous floods and may be the strongest storm experienced in eastern United States in years. It is labeled as a cateogory 4 type of wind implying that it has the potential to cause great damage.
Hurricane Florence is mostly concentrated along the state’s coast causing life threatening currents. Additionally, it is being trailed both on the east and west paths by two other storms, Helene and Isaac.
Helene, 620 miles west of the Cape Verde islands off the African coast recorded winds of up to 110 miles per hour, and was expected to continue moving west-northwest for several more days, the NHC said.
Isaac — which late Sunday became the fifth hurricane of the season, but was later downgraded to a tropical storm – is heading west toward the Caribbean.
