US officials warn of ‘epic’ rainfalls as Florence wreaks havoc

NEW BERN: Authorities on Saturday warned residents displaced by a killer hurricane that its devastation was far from over, as Florence dumped “epic amounts of rainfall” across the southeastern United States, bringing catastrophic flooding and up to 13 deaths.

Most of the fatalities occurred in North Carolina, where officials confirmed eight victims. They included three who died “due to flash flooding and swift water on roadways”, the Duplin County Sheriff's Office reported.

A woman and her baby were among the first casualties when a tree fell on their house, contributing to a death toll that US media said had reached 13 — 10 in North Carolina and three in South Carolina.

On Saturday, some residents tried to return home, driving through flooded highways and armed with chainsaws to clear fallen pine trees that covered the road.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper warned against such behaviour as roads became increasingly dangerous.

“All roads in the state right now are at risk of floods. As rivers keep rising and rain keeps falling, the flooding will spread.

“More and more inland counties are issuing mandatory evacuations to get people to safety quickly.”

He said the storm system “is unloading epic amounts of rainfall: in some places, measured in feet, not inches”.