From Fox 5 News
WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) – Blowing ashore with howling 90 mph winds, Hurricane Florence splintered buildings, trapped hundreds of people and swamped entire communities along the Carolina coast Friday in what could be just the opening act in a watery, two-part, slow-motion disaster. At least seven people have been killed.
The storm has led President Donald Trump to issu a disaster declaration for North Carolina. That will make federal money available to people in the counties of Beaufort, Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico and Pender.
As of Saturday morning, the center of Florence was centered about 45 miles southeast of Florence, South Carolina or about 35 miles west of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Maximum sustained winds have weakened to 45 mph. The storm slowed moving west at 2 mph, with the slow speed increasing the risk of catastrophic flooding.
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:
- Myrtle Beach South Carolina to Ocracoke Inlet North Carolina
- Pamlico Sound, including the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Edisto Beach South Carolina to Ocracoke Inlet North Carolina
- Pamlico Sound
All previous watches and warnings have expired.
