ORLANDO, Fla. — Hurricane Florence continues to directly impact the Carolinas, bringing flooding rain, storm surge and very strong winds.

Florence is now a category 1 hurricane, but still presents a life-threatening situation with major impacts that will be felt for days. The center is located 60 miles east-southeast of Wilmington, NC.

The forecast for landfall has Florence moving ashore Friday morning near Wilmington in southeastern North Carolina as a category 1 hurricane.

Florence

Florence contains maximum sustained winds of 90 mph. Slight weakening may continue at landfall, but overall this storm will impact areas from the southeastern United States to the mid-Atlantic coastline with life-threatening flooding and storm surge.

Swells generated by Florence have been impacting the southeastern US, including Florida, and will continue to do so through the rest of this week.

Locally, a Coastal Flood Advisory has been issued for Flagler County until 8pm Friday, along with a Small Craft Caution. A high risk of rip currents will prevail into the weekend.

Florence continues its slow forward progress, moving northwest at 6 mph. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center; tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 195 miles. The minimum central pressure is 956 mb.

The following watches and warnings have been posted:

A storm surge warning is in effect for:

  • South Santee River South Carolina to Duck North Carolina
  • Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, including the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers

A storm surge watch is in effect for:

  • Edisto Beach South Carolina to South Santee River South Carolina

A hurricane warning is in effect for:

  • South Santee River South Carolina to Duck North Carolina
  • Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds

A hurricane watch is in effect for:

  • Edisto Beach South Carolina to South Santee River South Carolina

A tropical storm warning is in effect for:

  • North of Duck North Carolina to Cape Charles Light Virginia
  • Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort
  • Edisto Beach South Carolina to South Santee River South Carolina

After landfall, Florence is projected slowly track west or southwest across the Carolinas, where it will pose a significant flood threat due to the incredible amount of rainfall forecasted.

Some areas could exceed 30 to 40 inches of rain from the storm.

Isaac

Elsewhere in the tropics, Tropical Storm Isaac is becoming less organized as it enters the eastern Caribbean Sea. Maximum sustained winds are down to 40 mph.

Isaac will likely weaken into a tropical depression as it travels west and the current forecast track indicates it may become a tropical wave.

There is still some uncertainty regarding the future of Isaac as it makes its way across the Caribbean. Some models runs have had it fading, others want to keep it in tact and lift it toward the Gulf of Mexico.

We will be watching it closely and will bring you the latest as details become more clear.

All Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings have been discontinued for the Lesser Antilles.

Helene

Helene remains a tropical storm, roughly 885 miles southwest of the Azores. This storm will not threaten the United States, but Tropical Storm Watches have just been issued for all of the Azores islands.

Helene will impact the Azores this weekend as a tropical storm.

Joyce

Joyce has dropped the 'sub-tropical' status and is now a tropical storm. Joyce will impact the Azores next week, but stays away from the U.S.

Elsewhere

Finally, a disorganized area of low pressure over the western Gulf of Mexico is projected to drift westward and potentially take on tropical characteristics. It has a medium chance of becoming a tropical system in the next day or so before it moves onto land.

While it would not threaten Florida, interests in coastal Texas and Louisiana are encouraged to watch the progress of this system as it has the potential to produce heavy rainfall. The next name on the list is Kirk.

There’s also a small area of potential development near Bermuda, running a low chance of gaining tropical characteristics.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.