HURRICANE FLORENCE MAKES LANDFALL IN US...

With 90mph winds and sparking a surge of ten foot storm surge

The centre of Hurricane Florence has smashed into North Carolina at 7.15am with three inches of rain falling every hour and 90mph winds sparking a 10-foot storm surge. More than 60 people including children had to be pulled from a collapsing motel in Jacksonville at the height of the storm and many more who defied evacuation orders were waiting to be rescued.

At least 12,000 people sought refuge in shelters in the state and more than 415,000 homes and businesses were reported to be without power as the outer band of the storm approached.

The hurricane knocked a basketball-sized hole in the wall of the Triangle Motor Inn causing cinder blocks to crumble and the roof to fall down - while residents were still in their rooms.

Police and fire crews had to force their way into rooms to rescue guests who were all taken to a shelter. None were injured.

Rescue teams were also working to free around 150 people trapped in New Bern as city spokeswoman Colleen Roberts warned that the storm surge will increase further as Florence passes over the area.

The National Hurricane Center said the Neuse River near the city is more than 10 feet (3.05 meters) high after it burst its banks on Thursday night.

Screaming winds bent trees toward the ground and raindrops flew sideways as Florence’s leading edge whipped the Carolina coast on Thursday night to begin an onslaught that could last for days.

- US, (DAILY MAIL), 14

SEPTEMBER 2018