Florence downgraded again to Category 1 hurricane with a sustained wind of 90 mph. The National Hurricane Center said that North Carolina coast is now being lashed with hurricane force wind and storm surge. Within a few days, the flood level will reach to dangerous level due to continuous storm rain.
In another update, it said that the storm’s eye is 50 miles wide south of Morehead and he core is 60 miles east southeast of Wilmington. At this time, it is moving at a wind speed of 6 mph. The full force of Florence will be demonstrated by Friday or Saturday.
Employees had to evacuate a North Carolina TV news station as the water rise from Hurricane Florence. This is the first time that Bern’s WCTI-TV NewsChannel 12 had abandoned the studio. All the roads around the news station building are flooding. New Bern city is within the proximity of Neuse River and Atlantic coast.
Many utility crews from California and Cana have arrived at North Carolina to help in the power outages after Hurricane Florence. They were assembled near State Capitol in Raleigh in their trucks. Duke Energy said that it estimates that 1 – 3 millions of its customers will experience power outages and they are seeking help from other power companies.
Holland Power Services from Canada have sent 100 vehicles and 250 workers to aid Duke Energy in carry out the restoration of the power outage. Duke Energy and Dominion, the two monopoly in electric utilities in North Carolina reported that over 80,000 customers are suffering from power outage as the hurricane heads nears. Most of the power outage occurred in Carteret County.
Power outages also occurred in other counties such as Craven and Pamlico. More than 12,000 people have put up at 126 shelters as Hurricane Florence approach. More shelters are being opened as more people need help in finding a place to avoid the storm.
In Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam is urging residents to stay in the shelter even though prediction for the effect of Hurricane Florence is not as serious. More than 400 people have taken up shelters in Virginia. Many people have heeded the evacuation order and leave their offices temporarily to avoid the hurricane.
Airbnb is offering free lodgings for those affected by Hurricane Florence until the 1st October. Over 400 Airbnb hosts has agreed to offer free lodgings for evacuees and emergency workers. The lodging is completely free and there is no booking fee.
Airbnb had offered free stays before during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The emergency declaration allows state officials to better prepare for the storm. More declarations will follow up for other errands including search and rescue team, food and etc.
