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| 5am Advisory - Credit NHC |
#13,499
Major hurricane Florence continues to take bead on the Carolinas, and is expected to make landfall in roughly 72 hours somewhere along the SC/NC coast. While there is a general consensus among the computer models, they are not in complete agreement as to exactly when, and where landfall will occur.
Today's 5am advisory posts the first official watches for this storm:
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:Given the size and strength of Florence, people should not focus too heavily on where the eye is forecast to come ashore. Damage and life threatening conditions will be widespread and uncertainties in the models mean the track could still shift north or south.
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Edisto Beach South Carolina to the North Carolina-Virginia border
* Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, including the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Edisto Beach South Carolina to the North Carolina-Virginia border
* Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds
Interests elsewhere in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic states
should monitor the progress of Florence. Additional watches may be required later today.
The models suggest Florence may begin to slow down as it approaches the coast, and it could meander slowly over the region for several days, weakening considerably once ashore, but still dumping massive amounts of rain.
Inland fresh water flooding may well be a serious problem in SC, NC, and VA. Key messages this morning from the NHC are:
While some sort of last minute reprieve is always possible, it seems very unlikely at this point, and people in the path of Florence should be taking its threat very seriously.
If you are told to evacuate, do it.
