WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Coast Guard strongly encourages everyone in the Coastal North Carolina region to heed the warnings and direction of local emergency response personnel as the landfall of Hurricane Florence becomes more imminent.

Mariners are advised to move boats to safe haven and finish your family emergency preparations and plans before the storm impacts your area. Ensure trailers and boats are secured above likely flood areas. Remove all EPIRBs, life rings, lifejackets and loose items. Ensure the boat is tied securely to the trailer.

Hurricane Florence was upgraded to a hurricane yesterday and is rapidly intensifying 1350 miles ESE of Charleston. Current sustained wind speed is 105 mph gusting to 135 mph. Florence is displaying a distinct eyewall complex and much better symmetry. Florence has started a slow turn to the WNW at 8-9 mph. Forecast reasoning has changed little with Florence steered NW over very deep, warm water. With low shear, and no dry air, Florence is in near-ideal environment to intensify into a 150 mph hurricane within 48 hours.

The latest NHC track forecast has Florence making landfall near Wilmington NC before sunrise Friday morning with 100 to 120 mph winds. As Florence nears the coast it will upwell shallow shelf water that will reduce the intensity, albeit slightly. Storm surge northeast of Wilmington could easily reach 10-15+ feet. Depending on the maximum intensity storm surge values could approach 20 feet.  Higher tide levels and heavy surf is lead-pipe likely along the SC coast.

After landfall, inland counties east of a line from Charleston to Rock Hill could easily experience tropical storm force winds with 60-70 mph gusts from the strong rain bands. Horry County to Dillon County could see hurricane force winds and will likely see hurricane force gusts. Florence will stall over eastern NC and dump rainfall that could be measured in feet. Models are hinting at 16-40 inches of rain over interior NC. Rainfall totals over eastern SC range for 6-10 inches. All the aforementioned scary numbers are highly dependent on the precise course, speed and intensity of Florence prior to  and after landfall.

In the immediate aftermath, the Coast Guard’s priorities are safety of life for those in distress, reopening the ports to facilitate recovery operations and the flow of commerce, and assessing and mitigating environmental damage.

If you find yourself in need of assistance, call for help immediately. Please do not use social media to request Coast Guard assistance during emergency situations.

If you are in need of assistance call 9-1-1.