Cnn news update on hurricane florence

Here is a CNN news update on Hurricane Florence:

Hurricane Florence Makes Landfall in North Carolina, Bringing Catastrophic Flooding and Destruction

Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina early Friday morning, bringing with it catastrophic flooding and destruction to the eastern part of the state.

The storm made landfall at 7:15 a.m. ET near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, with sustained winds of 90 mph and a storm surge of up to 9 feet, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Florence is now a tropical storm, but it's expected to continue causing significant flooding and damage throughout the day and into the weekend.

Flooding Worsens

The flooding caused by Florence is worsening, with waters rising to record levels in some areas. The Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina, has reached a record 61.5 feet, surpassing the previous record of 60.5 feet set in 1945.

The city of New Bern, North Carolina, is also experiencing severe flooding, with waters rising to 10 feet in some areas. The city's mayor, Dana Outlaw, has declared a state of emergency and urged residents to stay indoors.

Power Outages and Disruptions

The storm has caused widespread power outages, with over 500,000 customers without electricity in North Carolina and South Carolina. The outages have also disrupted communication services, with many cell towers and internet services down.

Evacuations and Rescues

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes, with many more stranded in their homes due to the flooding. The Coast Guard has rescued over 100 people from flooded areas, and emergency responders are working to reach those in need.

Death Toll Rises

The death toll from Florence has risen to at least 11, with many more expected as the storm continues to cause damage and flooding.

President Trump Visits Disaster Zone

President Trump visited the disaster zone on Wednesday, surveying the damage and meeting with emergency responders. He declared a state of emergency in North Carolina and South Carolina, freeing up federal funds to aid in the recovery efforts.

Forecast

Florence is expected to continue causing flooding and damage throughout the day and into the weekend. The storm is expected to slowly move inland, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the southeastern United States.

Stay Safe

Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay safe and follow evacuation orders. If you're in a flood-prone area, please move to higher ground immediately. If you're unable to evacuate, please stay indoors and away from windows.

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Donate to Relief Efforts

If you'd like to donate to relief efforts, please visit the American Red Cross website at redcross.org or text "FLORENCE" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.