SOUTHEAST REGION WARNED FLORENCE COULD BRING LARGE-SCALE DISASTER

A rapidly strengthening hurricane Florence churned across the Atlantic on Sunday toward a possible direct hit on the U.S. southeast late this week, triggering warnings to people up and down the coast to get their emergency kits ready, and map out escape routes.

Florence crossed the threshold from tropical storm to hurricane and its winds were up to 140 km/h. Drawing energy from warm water, it could be a fearsome Category 4 with winds of 210 km/h or more by Tuesday.

Forecasters warned Florence could slow after coming ashore with some models showing it could unload 60 centimetres of rain in places, causing devastating flooding.