What US states are affected by Hurricane Florence?
When the throttling hurricane Florence made its landfall on the US East coast, it downgraded to a tropical storm of Category 1. Sustaining wind-speed of 90mph, the storm is still creating a havoc in numerous regions. The Friday afternoon in the Carolinas turned out to be a nightmare as seven people are reported to be dead. People got trapped in the floods as it was predicted earlier. Rescuers have brought about 200 people to safety from the rising waters.
The storm was earlier of a Category 4, but it weakening was predicted. The flooding was evident. It still poses a danger as on Saturday, the storm could shamble far into the southeastern North Carolina and eastern South Carolina as well. The regions are witnessing rain upto 40 inches and water is being pushed inland because of storm surges. A wind gust of 68 mph has been measured near Wrightsville Beach, near Wilmington.
Owing to the early prediction, the markets had already been evacuated and the nuclear power plant in Brunswick, North Carolina has also been shut down. Officials had issued emergency declarations in Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia and Maryland. 1.7 million people in these areas were asked to move away from the path of the hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center now predicts that since the path and category of storm has changed, it will be traversing through the upstate of South Carolina, and then would have comparatively less damaging effect while passing the Ohio and West Virginia. However, transportation will remain disrupted. It will be sometime around next week, that the storm will move away from US regions and towards the Atlantic Ocean near Nova Scotia.
Florence is considered the most dangerous hurricane of this season. The other two: Tropical Storm Isaac and Hurricane Helene might move away from the land, without making a landfall in the US regions. Forecasters are continuously tracking all the disturbances that could hamper the wellbeing of citizens, and raise alarms when immediate attention would be needed.
In the regions where the storm has yet to arrive, people have been asked to be prepared for riskier situations. They are advised to keep a ready-to-go hurricane kit handy. It must contain medication, snacks and stress blankets. Not to forget, the requirements for the four-legged pals for their safety.
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