Hurricane Florence could cause ‘LIFE-THREATENING’ flooding on the US east coast

Florence, the sixth tropical storm in the Atlantic basin this year, intensified into a Category 1 hurricane yesterday, with winds churning at 85mph.

It is expected to continue gaining speed and will likely become a major hurricane later today, which is defined as Category 3 or higher on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale.

The hurricane will likely make landfall near the North Carolina-South Carolina border on Thursday afternoon, soon after becoming a strong category 4 hurricane.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said yesterday: “Make your plans now. Presume that a major hurricane is going to smack dab in the middle of South Carolina.”

He added that he has asked President Donald Trump to declare a federal emergency in South Carolina in anticipation of the storm’s arrival.

Residents as far north as Virginia were warned that Florence could bring devastating wind, flooding and surges.

The NHC said on Sunday: “There is an increasing risk of two life-threatening impacts from Florence: Storm surge at the coast and freshwater flooding from a prolonged heavy rainfall inland.”

Storm surge is the rise in ocean water above normally dry land at the coast, which can end up submerging coastal homes, roads and businesses.

Freshwater flooding is when inland rivers and lakes overflow onto floodplains.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has also urged the residents of his state to brace themselves for the storm ahead, given that there are already signs of swelling waves and dangerous currents on the coast.

He said yesterday: “Everyone in North Carolina needs to keep a close eye on Florence and take steps now to get ready for impacts later this week.”

South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia have all declared a state of emergency to position money and resources for the storm.

Forecasters have noted Florence’s unusual consistency, as its path has barely shifted from what they had considered to be the worst-case scenario last week.

The storm’s centre was 720 miles south-east of Bermuda last night, and is on track to pass between Bermuda and the Bahamas on Wednesday, with storm-force winds buffeting North and South Carolina by Wednesday night.

It’s progress is likely to slow or stall as it hits land, which could lead to a huge amount of rain falling over the Carolinas.

Florence will come just days after Hurricane Gordon battered the Gulf Coast, which flooded the streets on Dauphin Island, Alabama.

Two other storms are currently raging in the Atlantic – Tropical Storm Isaac (70mph winds) is expected to grow to a Category one hurricane but weaken again by the time it arrives near the Caribbean.

Meanwhile Hurricane Helene is battling near West Africa (75mph), but probably won’t be a threat to land.