The tropical system known as Florence roared back to hurricane strength Sunday, a development that was expected by forecasters who are nonetheless concerned that the storm will pose a danger to the U.S.
In what had been a relatively quiet Atlantic hurricane season up until now, the National Hurricane Center predicts that Florence will “rapidly” develop into a major hurricane by Monday, after which it will threaten East Coast in the latter half of the week.
Southeast states within the cone of its projected path — North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia — have already issued states of emergency in preparation for the storm.
Here are the 11 AM EDT Key Messages for Hurricane #Florence. There is an increasing risk of life-threatening hazards from storm surge and heavy rainfall from the Carolinas into the mid-Atlantic region later this week https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/cAQTyasGE9
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 9, 2018
Already swells generated by Florence are impacting Bermuda, which is about 750 miles Northwest of the storm and is not in its direct path in the coming days, and are reaching portions of the Eastern Seaboard. A rise in the frequency of rip currents is expected. Beyond that, there is “an increasing risk of two life-threatening impacts from Florence: storm surge at the coast and freshwater flooding from a prolonged heavy rainfall event inland,” the NHC said in its Sunday morning discussion.
Florence is expected to reach Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which the NHC uses to rate the strength of a given hurricane. A Category 4 storm has maximum sustained winds of 130 to 150 miles per hour, with stronger wind gusts, and is capable of causing “catastrophic damage.”
Looking likely that the Atlantic will have 3 #hurricanes simultaneously either later today or tomorrow. The record for most simultaneous Atlantic hurricanes is 4 set on August 22, 1893 and on September 25-26, 1998. #Florence #Helene #Isaac pic.twitter.com/oKmrQ8rc6k
— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) September 9, 2018
Florence previously reached Category 4 strength last week, but weakened back into a tropical storm due to wind shear and cooler waters, according to AccuWeather.
If Florence is to make landfall, it is expected to be somewhere between Georgia and Virginia, depending on certain weather conditions that might influence its path. But local forecasters say they are concerned that the storm will then slow or stall over the Mid-Atlantic due to a high pressure zone to its north, raising the potential for significant rainfall for several days in the Washington, D.C., area. This could “produce disastrous amounts of rain,” according to the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang.
“There is real concern that #Florence will slow or stall over the Mid-Atlantic Friday through next weekend & produce disastrous amounts of rain, although it is too soon to pinpoint where.” More info: https://t.co/sFjqgm82DE (Pictured NWS 7-day rain forecast, likely conservative) pic.twitter.com/t6siT06SIT
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) September 9, 2018
Adding to the potential for flooding, the D.C. metropolitan area is getting saturated this weekend with rains from the remnants of Hurricane Gordon, which hit Florida and the Gulf of Mexico last week.
Two other storm systems have developed behind Florence: Tropical Storm Isaac and Tropical Storm Helene. While Helene is not expected to pose a direct threat to land, AccuWeather says people in Puerto Rico and nearby islands in the Caribbean should stay aware of how Isaac develops as it could head in their direction.
Tropical Storm #Isaac is forecast to become a hurricane later today or tonight. Sustained tropical-storm-force winds are possible across portions of the Lesser Antilles later this week and would most likely begin Wednesday night. https://t.co/how9KmzwaR pic.twitter.com/EJNIrRaYsk
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 9, 2018
Meanwhile, in the Pacific, Hurricane Olivia heads towards Hawaii, which last month got heavy rain from Hurricane Lane.
With #HurricaneLane still fresh in our memory, we’re now facing another challenge as #HurricaneOlivia approaches the state. I want to stress the importance of preparing adequately, but again, I’m asking that people not purchase more than they need. #Olivia pic.twitter.com/gYLCa1g4BM
— Kirk Caldwell (@MayorKirkHNL) September 9, 2018
