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Hurricane Florence on course to strike U.S. coast later this week

Delaware Public Media

Hurricane Florence continues to churn in the Atlantic and is rapidly intensifying. It's now reached Category 4 status.

 

Forecasters stress that the storm is still days away and its track could change.

But National Weather Service meteorologist Michael Silva says Hurricane Florence is currently moving west-northwest.

“Right now we’re watching Hurricane Florence strengthening and as we go into Tuesday, it should strengthen to a major hurricane, which is Cat 3 or higher. It looks like it’s going to be approaching the southeast U.S. coast later this week,” said Silva.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami say a turn toward the northwest is forecast to occur Wednesday night or Thursday. If the storm stays on its current track, the center of Florence will approach the southeastern coast of the United States on Thursday.

States of emergency have already been declared in North and South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland as they ramp up preparations.

State officials say while its too early to tell how the storm will impact Delaware, residents and visitors should prepare now.

 

"We’re still looking at along the coast building and increasing tides as we go through the week. And there is also the potential for tropical storm-force winds extending out beyond the center of Florence,” Silva said.

 
 

Kelli Steele has over 30 years of experience covering news in Delaware, Baltimore, Winchester, Virginia, Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California.