Powerful Florence Poses Extreme Threat to Southeast Coast
GAITHERSBURG, MD - (September 12, 2018) Hurricane Florence remains an imposing threat as it churns across the western Atlantic with its sights set on the Southeast US coastline. As of 11AM EDT the storm remained a major Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. While the peak winds have not changed much, the storm has grown in size with hurricane force winds extending outward up to 70 miles from the storm’s center, compared to a 40-mile hurricane wind radius at the same time yesterday. Fluctuations in strength are likely to continue, as is common with strong hurricanes, but the storm is expected to remain a major hurricane as it bears down on the coastline of North Carolina starting late Thursday.
Recent model guidance has spurred a significant change with regard to Florence’s track, with the storm now expected to stall off the coast of North Carolina and drift southwestward parallel to the coast before finally tracking inland into South Carolina thereafter. This change has major implications on the storm’s impact, as a stalled hurricane would bring a prolonged period of hurricane force winds and pounding surf to the coastline along with extremely heavy rain with widespread amounts of 10-20” and localized amounts upwards of 40” possible.
“Hurricane Florence remains a potentially historic threat to the Carolinas,” says Steve Silver, Senior Meteorologist at Radiant Solutions. “Changes in the storm’s track have reduced the threat of inland flooding in the Mid-Atlantic at the expense of a heightened threat of more prolific flooding from both storm surge inundation and extreme rainfall for areas closer to the coasts of North and South Carolina. In addition, the storm’s slow track will promote a prolonged period of hurricane force and tropical storm force winds, maintaining a high probability of widespread power outages for areas in Florence’s path.”
Given the unusual jet stream pattern responsible for Florence’s expected erratic path, further changes to this storm’s track and ensuing impacts are possible in the coming days. Radiant Solutions team of expert meteorologists operating 24/7 will be keeping a keen eye on this powerful and dangerous storm and will be keeping our clients well informed ahead of Hurricane Florence’s impending arrival.
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