The tropical Storm Florence advancing toward Southeast of the United States is expected to become a ‘major hurricane’ during the week, forcasters have said.
Tropical Storm Florence has continued pushing toward the Southeast late Saturday and may grow into a ‘major hurricane’ by next weekend according to predictions.
Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) also cautioned that it was still too early to predict the “exact timing, location and magnitude of those impacts.”
The agency did, however, advise officials from northern Florida up through North Carolina to monitor Florence’s progress and have emergency-response plans in place.
In an 11 p.m. ET Saturday update, the NHC located Florence southeast of Bermuda, coursing westward at 6 mph with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.
The step helps free government resources to provide emergency aid and other assistance in response to the storm.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper made his announcement Friday and also signed a transportation waiver that would allow farmers to harvest and transport their crops more quickly.
While it’s still too early to know the storm’s path, we know we have to be prepared,” Cooper said in a news release. “During harvest, time is of the essence. Action today can avoid losses due to Florence.”
On Saturday, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster followed suit.
Describing the storm as being “very unpredictable,” McMaster said the state would take cautionary measures.
“We are preparing for the worst and of course hoping for the best. Being prepared is always the best strategy,” McMaster said.
In Virginia, Northam said that while the impacts of the storm remained uncertain, they could include flooding, high winds and a possible storm surge.
The governor urged residents to assemble an emergency kit with food, water, medication, pet supplies and important documents. Coastal residents should also check what hurricane evacuation zone they live in.
Meanwhile, two other storms – Helene and Isaac – were following behind Florence in the Atlantic, but those storms were expected to be less of a threat to the U.S., forecasters said.
