Three Things to Know About Hurricane Florence – Sunday September 9

Hurricane Florence is still thousands of miles from the coast of the United States, but the storm is currently restrengthening. It poses a threat to the mainland of the United States, but at this time a direct landfall in our area is unlikely.

However, the storm could still have a very serious impact on our weather.

Here’s what you need to know about the storm today:

1. FLORENCE’S CURRENT LOCATION
Florence is located about 750 miles southeast of Bermuda as of 11 am on Sunday.

It currently a category one hurricane (with sustained winds around 75 mph), but it is expected to rapidly intensify over the next day as it passes through the very warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

The storm is moving west at 6 mph, but it is expected to move in a west-northwestward motion later today.

2. FLORENCE’S FORECAST
The National Hurricane Center’s hurricane hunter planes have found that the storm is undergoing a rapid intensification. It is expected to become a major hurricane (category 3 or above) by Monday.

The current forecast track, which is subject to change, shows the storm reaching the Carolina coast as a major hurricane by early Friday morning.

3. THE STORM'S IMPACTS IN OUR AREA
Swells from the storm area already reaching parts of the United States coastline. These swells can cause life-threatening surf and rip currents. Follow all posted advisories if you’re headed towards the beach.

While the storm may not make landfall in our immediate area, the effects could be very serious as it may barrel up the coast or travel inland towards our area.

“There is an increasing risk of… storm surge at the coast and flooding from a prolonged heavy rainfall event inland,” the National Hurricane Center wrote on Sunday. “Interests at the coast and inland from South Carolina into the mid-Atlantic region should closely monitor the progress of Florence.”

The timing of the impacts of the storm in our immediate area appears to range from Thursday (September 13) through Tuesday of next week (September 18).