Hurricane Florence: 'Monster' Category 4 storm to strengthen further as it takes aim at US coast

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A US governor today warned "don't bet your life on riding out a monster" as the "extremely dangerous" Hurricane Florence hurtled towards the US East Coast.

Roads were jammed with drivers streaming inland and supermarket shelves were stripped after more than 1.5 million people were ordered to evacuate and seek shelter from Hurricane Florence.

With the Category Four storm already packing 140mph winds and threatening record rainfall when it strikes land tomorrow or Friday, forecasters warned that it could strengthen.

North Carolina governor Roy Cooper said: “This storm is a monster. It’s big and it’s vicious. It is an extremely dangerous, life-threatening, historic hurricane.”

People evacuate ahead of the forecasted landfall of Hurricane Florence as they seek shelter at Emma B. Trask Middle School in Wilmington, North Carolina
EPA

He warned residents resisting pleas to leave: “The waves and the wind this storm may bring is nothing like you’ve ever seen. Even if you’ve ridden out storms before, this one is different. Don’t bet your life on riding out a monster.”

The coastlines of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia were facing a “direct hit”, claimed Jeff Byard of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Maryland and Washington DC also declared states of emergency.

People queue for shelter Emma B. Trask Middle School in Wilmington, North Carolina
EPA

Petrol stations were running out of fuel and people across the region rushed to board up their homes and pull boats out of the water.

National Hurricane Centre director Ken Graham warned of “staggering” amounts of rainfall that may extend hundreds of miles inland and cause flash flooding across the east coast.

Florence could also become the costliest hurricane in US history. According to one estimate, it could cause £130 billion worth of damage.

Experts warned of environmental impacts, amid fears coal ash pits and industrial-scale pig farms could be flooded in North Carolina. Speaking at the White House last night, President Trump said the government would spare “no expense” in its response to the storm and that it was “absolutely, totally prepared”.

National Hurricane Centre maps show the most likely, and earliest possible, times that Florence could hit the US coast.
NHC/Twitter

But he came under fire for his remarks after claiming his administration’s handling of Hurricane Maria —which killed nearly 3,000 people when it hit Puerto Rico last year — was “tremendous”.

President Donald Trump is shown the path of Hurricane Florence
REUTERS

“I actually think it was one of the best jobs that’s ever been done with respect to what this is all about,” he said. But Carmen Yulin Cruz, the mayor of the Puerto Rican capital San Juan, tweeted: “If he thinks the death of 3,000 people is a success God help us all.”

People line up to enter a hurricane shelter at Trask Middle School in North Carolina
AFP/Getty Images

Authorities have taken extraordinary measures to move residents in the firing line out of harm’s way as Mr Trump declared a state of emergency in some regions.

The US leader said the safety of the American people is his "absolute highest priority" as Florence continued on its collision course towards the East Coast.

Florence is still most likely to strike land on Thursday, the National Hurricane Centre said, but the storm, still swirling over the Atlantic, strengthened and picked up pace late on Tuesday.

Washington DC declared a state of emergency as inland areas also prepared for heavy rains, topping 30 inches in just one week along the centre of Florence's path, which is likely to cut through the City of Wilmington, North Carolina.

Authorities in the city put out advice for residents to park their cars in garages where they can, while fire crews are barricaded streets prone to flooding.

"Start bringing in or securing outdoor furniture, potted plants, trash carts... anything that could become a projectile during heavy winds," said the city council's website.

Hurricane Florence from the International Space Station on Monday 
AP

Further north up the coast, the busy areas of Norfolk, Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads also face the threat of a storm surge.

Governor Ralph Northam issued a mandatory evacuation of 245,000 people across Virginia.

“Hurricane Florence has the potential to cause catastrophic flooding, especially in our coastal areas,” said Gov. Northam. “This evacuation is for the safety of thousands of Virginians living in that zone. But the effects of this storm will be felt statewide, and I encourage everyone in Virginia to prepare now.”

Queues of cars have been photographed leaving coastal areas of Virginia, and in North Carolina, authorities have pleaded with residents, even those not under mandatory evacuation, to make their preparations sooner rather than later.

Director of North Carolina's Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry said: "Everyone needs to heed the evacuation orders that have been issued by their local jurisdictions and by the Governor.

"I would say do it today. Especially those with emergency support needs."

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