WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (KUNA) -- Hurricane Florence's tract shifted south and is expected to hit more of South Carolina and stall over the coast once it reaches land, according to the National Weather Service Wednesday.
With less than 48 hours to go until making landfall, residents have prepared for catastrophic conditions from damaging winds, flash floods, and power outages.
The rise in sea levels may be over three meters. Since the storm is expected to slow once reaching the coast, officials fear it could additionally unleash a fatal amount of rain.
"This will likely be the storm of a lifetime for portions of the Carolina coast," the National Weather Service said Tuesday. "And that's saying a lot given the impacts we've seen from hurricanes Diana, Hugo, Fran, Bonnie, Floyd, and Matthew." By the time Florence reaches land around North and South Carolina on Friday it will be a Category three or four hurricane.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency for the state telling residents to "be ready, be prepared." The Carolinas and Virginia declared states of emergency earlier in the week. (end) ak.ibi