Florence poses threat to U.S. Southeast coast
Tropical storm expected to build into a hurricane.
MIAMI — Tropical Storm Florence is becoming a “better organized” weather system that will likely strengthen into a hurricane, weather forecasters said.
The National Hurricane Center said Saturday the storm was expected to become a “major hurricane” by Tuesday as it passes between Bermuda and the Bahamas on Tuesday and Wednesday. The storm is expected to approach the Southeast U.S. coast on Thursday.
Officials in North Carolina were already bracing for impact.
In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Saturday to give his state time to prepare for the possible arrival of a hurricane.
McMaster emphasized that there’s no way to know yet when and where the storm will hit land, or when evacuations might be called.
Adm. Christopher Grady said in a statement that the decision was based on Florence’s current track, which indicates the area could see strong sustained winds and storm surges.
The National Hurricane Center said Saturday that Florence will start to rapidly intensify today, and be a major hurricane by Tuesday.
The news release notes that plans could change if forecasts indicate a decrease in the strength or change in the track of the storm.
On Friday, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency and urged residents to use the weekend to prepare for the possibility of a natural disaster.
Swells generated by Florence could cause dangerous rip currents and coastal floodingy in areas including coastal Delaware and New Jersey, the National Weather Service said.
At 11 a.m. EDT, the Miamibased hurricane center said Florence’s maximum sustained winds were estimated to be 65 mph.