Atlantic Hurricane Barrels Toward Carolinas; Category Five Possible as Flo Strengthens

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Category: Earth, Air, Space Science

Published on Monday, 10 September 2018 16:27

Written by Janet Walker

Hurricane Florence, a category four powerhouse with sustained winds of 140mph, quickly intensified over the warm waters of the Caribbean as it continued its northeast trajectory with landfall expectation, anywhere from the Carolinas to the Mid-Atlantic states.

The most current statistic show Florence increasing sustained wind speeds by 10mph, moving west/northwest at 13mph and currently tracks 1170 miles off the coast of Cape Fear, N.C.

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Weather cone modules have the deadly storm making landfall Thursday, anywhere from South Carolina to Virginia. The unpredictability of Hurricanes is also a factor, as Florence may slow or stall off the Carolinas and move further east.

The National Hurricane Center does not expect Florence to make an about face and move out to sea. The projection that Hurricane Florence will make landfall as a Category 5 Thursday, is nearly 100% accurate and expected.

Along with intense rains, and should Florence stall at sea, the region can expect intense rains, flash floods, high seas, rip currents and pounding surf. High tide storm surge will create flooding in low lying areas.

Residents in one of the busiest corridors in the nations should take necessary precautions. Be prepared for a three day, 72 hour, emergency plan. Weather radios, transistors, and don’t forget batteries, a three-day supply of water, tape for the windows, secure outdoor furniture, fill the gas tank, ensure electronics and portable chargers are fully charged.

The Governors of North and South Carolina and Virginia have already declared a state of emergency for the residents of their states.    

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Should Florence intensify into a Category 5, residents in the landfall region can expect major structural damage. Well-constructed homes may experience the partial or total loss of the roof with wall collapses also possible. Unprotected or secured windows will burst causing glass and shards to become projectiles. Trees and power poles will snap or be totally uprooted causing the potential of fire from sparks due to downed power lines.

A category five will have sustained winds of 157 or higher. Most of the hardest hit regions will be inhabitable for months. Power sources could be lost for weeks. Heavy wind carried debris. Tornadoes can be spawned inland of the immediate landfall region.

The military has ordered its fleet out to sea indicating ships are better at handling storms at sea.  

This is a developing story.