Florence became a hurricane on Sunday with sustained winds of at least 119 kmph. By Monday morning, the hurricane center classified Florence as a "major" Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds of at least 178 kmph.
Now due to the rapid intensification, Hurricane Florence has developed into a Category 4 storm within the last 24 hours. At present, it is centered at 25.6˚N/61.7˚W and is seen picking up speed. In fact, in the next 24 hours, it might cover over 500 km of distance.
Florence has also developed a well-marked eye, representing its core strength. Due to the warm water in the Atlantic Ocean with a temperature of 30˚C, Florence stands a chance into becoming Category 5 storm. Florence will be an extremely powerful hurricane, regardless of its exact category.
Last year also the East Coast was hit by a similar disturbing Hurricane named Harvey. It was the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Wilma in 2005, ending a record 12-year span in which, no hurricanes made landfall at the intensity of a major hurricane throughout the country.
In a four-day period, many areas received more than 1,000 mm of rain as the system slowly meandered over eastern Texas and adjacent waters, causing unprecedented flooding.
Now also looking at the situation we expect similar devastating conditions to occur. Strong belts of high-pressure are blocking its shift northwards, that will drive it to hit the coast. Thus, we can say that, Florence may also make its stay prolonged just like Harvey.
States of emergency have already been declared in the Carolinas, Virginia and Maryland. In Maryland, where some coastal areas are still recovering from weather, flooding could be terrible if it hits the state.
High velocity winds and heavy rains will inflict major destructive activities in the form of uprooting of trees, snapping power lines, blowing rooftops etc. over all these areas.
Moreover, more than 1 million people face mandatory evacuation orders in coastal areas of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. State government offices, including schools and medical facilities, will be closed in 26 counties.
Image Credits – cissm
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