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Hurricane Florence remains 'life-threatening storm' despite weakening Wednesday night
Hurricane Florence is now expected to slow down and turn south after reaching the East Coast, which could have dire consequences for South Carolina.
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Hurricane Florence remains 'life-threatening storm' despite weakening Wednesday night
Doug Stanglin and John Bacon, USA TODAY
Published 7:49 a.m. ET Sept. 12, 2018 | Updated 11:52 p.m. ET Sept. 12, 2018
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Hurricane Florence was downgraded to Category 2 late Wednesday night but remained a clear danger to the East Coast with "life-threatening" storm surge and rainfall in the forecast.
As expected, Florence has slowed on its approach to North Carolina and South Carolina, where it's expected to make landfall late Thursday or early Friday, bombarding communities with torrential rain, high winds and deadly storm surge until Saturday.
Hurricane winds could linger for 24 hours or more, sweeping away trees and power lines while dumping 20 to 30 inches of rain in some coastal areas, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. Isolated totals of 40 inches are possible.
Florence was driving sustained winds of 110 mph on Wednesday night and, earlier in the day, had created waves up to 83 feet, the hurricane center said, with the first tropical winds sweeping ashore before noon.
The approach of Florence has put more than 10 million people under storm watches and warnings across three states.
Along the coasts areas, more than 1 million people have been ordered to evacuate. Duke Energy warned that up to 75 percent of its 4 million customers in the Carolinas could lose power.
"This is not going to be a glancing blow," Federal Emergency Management Agency's Jeff Byard said. "This is going to be a Mike Tyson punch to the Carolina coast."
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The storm, as of 11 p.m. EDT, was about 280 miles east-southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina, and 325 miles east-southeast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, moving northwest at 17 mph.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington warned that Florence "will likely be the storm of a lifetime for portions of the Carolina coast."
The NHC stressed that tropical-storm force winds arriving Thursday morning would make outside preparations "difficult or dangerous."
"Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," the NHC bulletin warned.
After an earlier flirtation with up the coast toward Virginia, the southern turn brings Georgia into the path of the storm. Gov. Nathan Deal declared an emergency Wednesday for all 159 counties. But North Carolina remained a primary target, and Gov. Roy Cooper has ordered an unprecedented evacuation of the state's barrier islands.
The storm surge alone will flood tens of thousands of structures, Cooper said Wednesday.
"Every county and every person in North Carolina needs to stay alert and to take this storm seriously," Cooper said.
Not everyone was fleeing. In Wilmington, James Waters said he surfed Wednesday morning and was going to stay at his grandparents’ house just across the water from the islands.
“My grandparents are staying, so I figured I would stay and help them,” Waters said. “We’ve been through some hurricanes before. They say this one is supposed to be really bad.”
President Donald Trump again warned people to heed storm warnings on Wednesday, saying Hurricane Florence "is going to be one of the biggest" to ever hit the East Coast or the United States as a whole.
There is "a big situation confronting us," Trump said during a White House reception for Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and their families. Trump said his administration is in close contact with state and emergency management officials.
"God bless everybody, and be careful," Trump said.
Outside Wilmington, less than two miles from the coast, the Trinity Grove nursing home has stocked extra food, medicine and water for some 100 residents, who will shelter in place.
The facility was built to withstand 140 mile per hours wind, says John Frye, the executive director.
Kay Torrens, 88, who has lived for 25 years in Trinity Grove with her 87-year-old husband, Leo, says she is heading to Virginia to stay with relatives, leaving the facility for the first time ever — and without Leo.
“He’s in good hands. Why would I not trust it?” Torrens said. “I wouldn’t leave him if it wasn’t safe.”
Weather Channel meteorologist Greg Postel said Florence has an unusual forecast track. "I've never seen anything like this," he said.
Ryan Maue, a meteorologist at weather.us who said Florence is forecast to dump about 10 trillion gallons of water on the Carolinas, called the forecast "bizarre" and said "the forecast after 72 hours is certainly a challenge ... and a nightmare."
Despite Florence’s southern turn, people as far as Norfolk, Virginia, fled to higher ground. Wilma Johnson was on her way out of town Wednesday morning after her neighborhood that abuts the Elizabeth River was ordered evacuated by Gov. Ralph Northam. But she was having second thoughts.
“I’m not really afraid,” she said. “I think I’d be much more comfortable at home.”
The new track could make a tremendous difference to residents of the Washington, D.C., metro area and points north. Alan Reppert, a senior meteorologist for AccuWeather, said areas around Richmond, Virginia, could see 8 inches of rain. Washington, 100 miles to the north, might get only an inch.
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Travel disruptions will be many. Nationwide, more than 575 flights have been canceled from Wednesday through Friday, flight-tracking service FlightAware reported.
Amtrak canceled some trains and modified service for others in the region and announced its Northeast Regional service will not run to Virginia destinations south of Washington from Wednesday through Sunday.
President Donald Trump lauded FEMA for its work during last year's devastating hurricane season and said authorities were ready for Florence.
"Hurricane Florence is looking even bigger than anticipated," Trump tweeted. "It will be arriving soon. FEMA, First Responders and Law Enforcement are supplied and ready. Be safe!"
Contributing: Doyle Rice, Ledyard King, Sean Rossman and Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY; Daniel Gross, of The Greenville News, reported from Wilmington.
Florence unleashes havoc on Carolinas
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Two people use a neighborhood street as a boat ramp in floodwaters from the Waccamaw River caused by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 26, 2018 in Bucksport, S. C. Nearly two weeks after making landfall in North Carolina, river flooding continues after Florence in northeastern South Carolina. Sean Rayford, Getty Images
An antique car is inundated by floodwaters from the Waccamaw River caused by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 26, 2018 in Bucksport, S. C. Sean Rayford, Getty Images
Workers uses farm machinery to navigate floodwaters from the Waccamaw River caused by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 26, 2018 in Bucksport, S. C. Sean Rayford, Getty Images
A dog stands in floodwaters from the Waccamaw River caused by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 26, 2018 in Bucksport, S.C. Sean Rayford, Getty Images
Brian Morris looks at the debris from his home in the Stoney Creek Plantation neighborhood Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Leland, N.C. Many of the homes here were flooded through their bottom floors due to rains from Hurricane Florence. Ken Blevins, The Star-News via AP
A basketball net barely sticks up above the flood waters at Lee's Landing in Conway, S.C., Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018. Predictions for the final communities in the path of Hurricane Florence's flooding aren't as dire as they once were. Officials originally expected flooding in the worst areas of Georgetown County to be from 5 to 10 feet. But the latest forecast lowered that estimate and the Waccamaw River in Conway has been at the same level for nearly a day. Jason Lee, The Sun News via AP
Taylor James paddles a boat in floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence in front of Trinity United Methodist Church near the Crabtree Swamp on Sept. 26, 2018 in Conway, S.C. SEAN RAYFORD, Getty Images
Laura Totten helps to clean out debris from a home in the Stoney Creek Plantation neighborhood on Sept. 26, 2018, in Leland, N.C. KEN BLEVINS, The Star-News via AP
Ian Smythe clears out wet sheet rock from a home in the Stoney Creek Plantation neighborhood on Sept. 26, 2018, in Leland, N.C. KEN BLEVINS, The Star-News via AP
A home is inundated by floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Crabtree Swamp on Sept. 26, 2018 in Conway, S.C. SEAN RAYFORD, Getty Images
Brittany Lewis helps to clean out debris from a home in the Stoney Creek Plantation neighborhood on Sept. 26, 2018, in Leland, N.C. KEN BLEVINS, The Star-News via AP
Volunteers from the Samaritan's Purse walk along the streets in the Stoney Creek Plantation neighborhood in Leland, N.C. on Sept. 26, 2018. KEN BLEVINS, The Star-News via AP
Trinity United Methodist Church is inundated by floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Crabtree Swamp on Sept. 26, 2018 in Conway, S.C. SEAN RAYFORD, Getty Images
Dead fish litter the streets of Aberdeen Golf Club as floodwaters recede following Hurricane Florence, in Longs, S.C. Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. Jason Lee, The Sun News via AP
The Polo Farms neighborhood off S.C. Highway 905 is largely underwater, on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Longs, S.C., due to Hurricane Florence's deluge. Jason Lee, The Sun News via AP
In this Monday, Sept. 24, 2018 photo, a truck travels through flood waters from the Northeast Cape Fear River near Burgaw N.C., a week after Hurricane Florence. Ken Blevins, The Star-News via AP
The Polo Farms neighborhood off S.C. Highway 905 is largely underwater, on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Longs, S.C. Jason Lee, The Sun News, via AP
Lee Bertrand paddles through flooded equipment in his front lawn, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in the Red Bluff community, in Longs, S.C. Jason Lee, The Sun News, via AP
The bridge over Simpson's Creek is the only dry spot for more than a mile on S.C. Highway 905 in the Red Bluff Community in Longs, S.C. Jason Lee, The Sun News, via AP
Shawn Lowrimore wades into the water near The Fellowship With Jesus Ministries church in Yauhannah, S.C., on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. The church is on the bank of the Waccamaw River which has already risen above its record crest and is expected to keep rising for several days, forcing thousands of evacuations in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Jeffrey S. Collins, AP
This Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 photo provided by the North Carolina Department of Transportation shows fish left on Interstate 40 in Pender County in eastern North Carolina after floodwaters receded. Thousands of coastal residents remained on edge Sunday, told they may need to leave their homes because rivers are still rising more than a week after Hurricane Florence slammed into the Carolinas. Jeff Garrett, North Carolina Department of Transportation AP
Kayaks are paddled up Long Avenue past flooded sections of the Sherwood Drive community of Conway, S.C., Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 as homes were submerged deeper than ever in flood waters that have already set historic records. Jason Lee, The Sun News via AP
David Covington moves floating floor boards out of his path inside his flooded Conway, S.C. home on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018. Jason Lee, The Sun News via AP
Maura Walbourne sits in the front of a canoe looking in at her flooded Long Avenue home as David Covington wades through the wreckage in Conway, S.C. Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018. Jason Lee, The Sun News via AP
Floyd Boyd is reflected in floodwaters as he measures the water in his car port and finds it inches from entering his home on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 in Conway, S.C. Jason Lee, The Sun News via AP
Coast Guardsmen and Conway Police help Denise Fulmer from her flooded Busbee Street home on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, where she would be relocated to a shelter at Conway Recreation Center. Jason Lee, The Sun News via AP
People navigate floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Waccamaw River on Sept. 23, 2018 in Conway, S.C.
. Floodwaters are expected to continue to rise in Conway over the next two days. Sean Rayford, Getty Images
Jason Johnson, left, and homeowner Archie Sanders work to build a temporary levee to hold back floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Waccamaw River on Sept. 23, 2018 in Conway, S.C. Sean Rayford, Getty Images
A duck flaps its wings in front of a home inundated with floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Waccamaw River on Sept. 23, 2018 in Conway, S.C. Sean Rayford, Getty Images
People use boats to rescue valuables from a home inundated by floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Waccamaw River on Sept. 23, 2018 in Conway, S.C. Sean Rayford, Getty Images
A woman documents floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Waccamaw River on Sept. 23, 2018 in Conway, S.C. Floodwaters are expected to continue to rise in Conway over the next two days. Sean Rayford, Getty Images
The Williams family rapidly removes their belongings trying to keep their mattresses dry, on Sept. 21, 2018 in Longs, S.C.. With muddy river water still washing over entire communities on Friday, eight days after Hurricane Florence slammed into land with nearly 3 feet of rain, new evacuation orders forced residents to flee to higher ground amid a sprawling disaster that's beginning to feel like it will never end. Jason Lee/The Sun News via AP
The Waccamaw River overflows it's banks at Highway 9, Friday, in Conway, S.C. Jason Lee/The Sun News via AP
T.J. Williams, age 12, helps remove chairs from his family home on Collins street where his family were removing their belongings ahead of rising waters, Friday, in Longs, S.C. Jason Lee/The Sun News via AP
Luis Gomez rescues baby chicks from floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Todd Swamp in Longs, S.C.. Floodwaters are expected to rise in the area in through the weekend. Sean Rayford/Getty Images
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper talks with Joyce Davis at an event feeding victims of Hurricane Florence at the Bright Hopewell Baptist Church, Friday, in Laurinburg, N.C.. Gov. Roy Cooper said the damage in his state is in the billions of dollars, but there was no way to make a more accurate estimate while flooding continues. Scott Sharpe/The News & Observer via AP
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, right, surveys the heavily damaged cotton field of farmer Bryan Hagler during a tour of agricultural areas hit hard by Hurricane Florence, Friday, in Laurinburg, N.C. Scott Sharpe/The News & Observer via AP
A portion of a tobacco field near Faison, N.C. flooded by water from Hurricane Florence is seen from a N.C. National Guard Blackhawk helicopter as Governor Roy Cooper tours agricultural areas of eastern N.C. hit hard by the storm. Scott Sharpe, Scott Sharpe/The News & Observer via AP
Shane Clark carries his son Caleb over flood waters at Lee's Landing Circle as he evacuates his family from their river home, Friday, in Conway, S.C. Jason Lee/The Sun News via AP
Rows of mailbox protrude through floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Nichols, S.C., Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. Virtually the entire town is flooded and inaccessible except by boat, just two years after it was flooded by Hurricane Matthew. GERALD HERBERT/AP
Professional disaster recovery services work to cleanup storm damages at the New Bern Grande Marina Yacht Club in New Bern, N.C., Sept. 21, 2018. Hurricane Florence brought destructive flooding to areas in the waterfront business district. GRAY WHITLEY/AP
Cleanup crews work to remove storm damaged belongings, spoiled food and soaked furniture at Trent Court Apartments in New Bern, N.C., . Friday.
Hurricane Florence brought storm surge which overflowed from the Trent River and forced many residents of Trent Court to evacuate. GRAY WHITLEY/SUN JOURNAL VIA AP
A submerged car sits in floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Nichols, S.C., Friday. GERALD HERBERT/AP
Department of Natural Resources agent James Mills Cody patrols through floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Nichols, S.C. GERALD HERBERT/AP
Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan, right, loads boxes with goods for Hurricane Florence victims as he makes an appearance Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, N.C. The Hornets NBA basketball team packed food boxes as part of hurricane relief efforts. DIEDRA LAIRD/AP
Volunteer Johnnie Evans brings a wagon of water, Friday, to cleanup crews helping with the grisly task of removing storm damaged belongings, spoiled food and soaked furniture at Trent Court Apartments in New Bern, N.C. GRAY WHITLEY/AP
A sign commemorating the rebuilding of the town of Nichols, which was flooded two years earlier from Hurricane Matthew, stands in floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Nichols, S.C., Friday. Virtually the entire town is once again flooded and inaccessible except by boat. GERALD HERBERT/AP
Phil Clough carries gear out of his garage in the Cedar Creek neighborhood in Fayetteville, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. This is the second time the house has flooded in two years. Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Mike Dougal and Jasmine Brown clean out their flooded freezer and refrigerator outside their garage in the Cedar Creek neighborhood of Fayetteville, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. This is the second time the house has flooded in two years. They plan to move out of the neighborhood, but fear the house's chance for resale may be ruined. Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Billy Hardee removes valuables from his home as floodwater caused by Hurricane Florence rises at Aberdeen Country Club on Sept. 20, 2018, in Longs, S.C. Floodwaters are expected to rise through the weekend in the area. SEAN RAYFORD, Getty Images
James Spencer helps a friend remove valuables from their home as floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence rise at Aberdeen Country Club on Sept. 20, 2018, in Longs, S.C. Floodwaters are expected to rise through the weekend in the area. SEAN RAYFORD, Getty Images
Storm damaged items and debris are piled in front of homes in the historic district in New Bern, N.C. on Sept. 20, 2018. GRAY WHITLEY, Sun Journal via AP
Technicians and repair services are working to restore residential utilities in the historic district of New Bern, N.C. on Sept. 20, 2018. GRAY WHITLEY, Sun Journal via AP
Rosemary Acevedo-Gonzalez retrieves clothing from her daughter's bathroom as she returns to their home for the first time since it was flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Spring Lake, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. "This is the only thing I can get," said Acevedo-Gonzalez of what was salvageable. "That's it. I'm done." David Goldman, AP
The wall to a room at the Starlite Motel is washed away in the flooding aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Spring Lake, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. ( David Goldman, AP
Part of the Starlite Motel is washed away in the aftermath of flooding from Hurricane Florence in Spring Lake, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. David Goldman, AP
Lt. Keith Ramsey with the Pender County Sheriff's Office walks out to a boat while taking part in rescue operations in Burgaw, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A large area east of Burgaw is experiencing severe flooding from the Northeast Cape Fear River due to the rains from Hurricane Florence. Matt Born, The Star-News via AP
Jovani Quintano, left, and Carlos Gomez walk through a flooded neighborhood after heavy rains brought on by Hurricane Florence on September 19, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina. The death toll from the storm stands at 37 in three states, including 27 fatalities in North Carolina, according to published reports. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Laura Burgos pulls up carpet at Evolution Athletics East, which was flooded by the Little River after Florence, in Spring Lake N.C.,Sept. 19, 2018. Caitie McMekin, USA TODAY NETWORK
Ronnie Mayes scratches his head as he looks at the church he's attended his entire life, the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, where he is an elder, in Spring Lake, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The church was damaged from the Little River which flooded from Florence. Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel, via USA TODAY Network
Ronnie Mayes stands outside the sanctuary of the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, as a visible line on the door marks where the water level was yesterday from the flooded Little River, in Spring Lake, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel, via USA TODAY Network
Hailey Maynard rolls a medicine ball while helping clean out Evolution Athletics East, which was flooded by the Little River after Florence, in Spring Lake N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel, via USA TODAY Network
The North Carolina State Forest Services Office is flooded from the Northeast Cape Fear River in Burgaw, N.C., on Sept. 19, 2018. MATT BORN, The Star-News via AP
Area residents ride down N.C. Highway 53 that is flooded from the Northeast Cape Fear River in Burgaw, N.C. on Sept. 19, 2018. MATT BORN, The Star-News via AP
Area residents ride around neighborhoods flooded from the Northeast Cape Fear River in Burgaw, N.C. on Sept. 19, 2018. MATT BORN, The Star-News via AP
The dam and roadway at Alton Lennon Drive in Boiling Spring Lakes, N.C. is washed away Wednesday Sept. 19, 2018 after water from Hurricane Florence overran it earlier this week. Ken Blevins, The Star-News, via AP
President Donald Trump gestures to first responders as he visits the Horry County Emergency Management center in the area impacted by Hurricane Florence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018, in Conway, S.C. Evan Vucci, AP
Teresa Nance is licked by her dog as she returns to dry land after checking on her home flooded by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 19, 2018, in Lumberton, N.C. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Ronnie Mayes stands in the Sunday school building of the church he's attended his entire life, the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, in Spring Lake, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel, via USA TODAY Network
Flood waters isolate homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence Sept. 19, 2018, in Lumberton, N.C. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Jovani Quintano walks through a flooded neighborhood after heavy rains brought on by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 19, 2018, in Lumberton, N.C. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
The Cape Fear River is seen well above flood levels in Fayetteville, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in the aftermath of Florence. Jeremiah Wilson/Xavier Mascareñas, USA TODAY Network
Homes on the Wood family's property are seen severely flooded Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in the aftermath of Florence in Linden, N.C. Dale Wood, who has lived on the property about 47 years, and his wife, Angie Wood, said their home was also flooded by the nearby Little River after Matthew, but not nearly to the same levels. Xavier Mascareñas/Jeremiah Wilson, USA TODAY Network
The scene of flood damage where the road was washed away on Williams Road in Duplin County on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Shelley Mays, The Tennessean-USA TODAY Network
Wendy Rhodes takes photographs of her flood damaged home on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Hallsville, N.C. A mounted deer head fell off the wall during the storm where Rhode said two feet of water came into her home. Shelley Mays, The Tennessean-USA TODAY Network
Mary and Phil Pongonis look at the damaged roadway from Hurricane Florence in Boiling Spring Lakes, N.C. Tuesday Sept. 18, 2018. Ken Blevins, The Star-News via AP
A flag marks where the Cape Fear River rose to during Hurricane Matthew in 2016, outside of Deep Creek Outfitters in Fayetteville, N.C. Tuesday, Sept.18, 2018. Tuesday morning the river stands inches below 60 feet. The flood stage for the river is 35 feet. Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel-USA TODAY Network
Homes on the Wood family's property are seen severely flooded Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in the aftermath of Florence in Linden, N.C. Dale Wood, who has lived on the property about 47 years, and his wife, Angie Wood, said their home was also flooded by the nearby Little River after Matthew, but not nearly to the same levels. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/JEREMIAH WILSON, USA TODAY NETWORK
Spring Lake resident Patrick Wolvin wades through water from the flooded Little River, to buy his wife and neighbors cigarettes, in Spring Lake on the outskirts of Fayetteville, N.C., Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Residents wait in line as the sun rises over Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Residents are allowed to return to the island today to check on their homes after Hurricane Florence. Chuck Burton, AP
A person takes photos of debris that is stopped by a train trestle in the Cape Fear River in Fayetteville, N.C. Tuesday, Sept.18, 2018. Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Signs peak above the flooded Cape Fear River outside in Fayetteville, N.C. Tuesday, Sept.18, 2018. Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Ashley Miller looks at photos she has taken of the fallen tree across Rolanda Drive after an apparent tornado touched down in Henrico County, Va., Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. ALEXA WELCH EDLUND, Richmond Times-Dispatch, via AP
Utility crews move across a bridge on the opposite side of the Cape Fear River from Wilmington, NC Monday evening, Sept. 17, 2018. The Cape Fear River is expected to crest on Tuesday, September 18. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY NETWORK
The sun sets along the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington with the USS North Carolina battleship seen in the distance on Monday evening, Sept. 17, 2018. The Cape Fear River is expected to crest on Tuesday, September 18. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY NETWORK
People search out locations for fuel Monday evening, Sept. 17, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY NETWORK
A message outside a razed home along the Neuse River in New Bern, N.C. on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. Near the flooded-out town of New Bern , where about 455 people had to be rescued from the swirling floodwaters, water completely surrounded churches, businesses and homes. In the neighboring town of Trenton, downtown streets were turned to creeks full of brown water. Gary D Robertson, AP
People check out the flooding as the Rockfish creek overflows a roadway on Sept. 17, 2018 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Flood waters from the cresting rivers inundated the area after the passing of Hurricane Florence. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
A pedestrian stands on a train trestle over the Cape Fear River near Person Street Bridge in Fayetteville, N.C., Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. The flood stage for the Cape Fear River is 35 feet, and after Florence the river stands at over 50 feet. It is predicted to peak at 61.8 feet according to the National Weather Service. Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
D.J. Grimsley of Fayetteville kisses his wife Sabrina on the head as she prays for victims of the flood, while looking toward the rising Cape Fear River on Person Street Bridge in Fayetteville, N.C., Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. Caitie McMekin, News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Cross Creek overflows into Festival Park and nearby roadways, as seen in a drone photo Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, in the aftermath of Florence in Fayetteville, N.C. Jeremiah Wilson/Xavier Mascareñas, USA TODAY NETWORK
Bob Richling carries Iris Darden as water from the Little River starts to seep into her home on Sept. 17, 2018 in Spring Lake, North Carolina. Flood waters from the cresting rivers inundated the area after the passing of Hurricane Florence. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
What appears to be a small levy breached due to storm waters from hurricane Florence in Rocky Point , NC., Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. Steve Helber, AP
Jacob McPherson, 23, from Whiteville rides through the flooded intersection of Red HIll Road and Green Elkins Road completely cut off by flooding of the Red Hill Swamp near Whiteville, NC. on Sept. 17, 2018 Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
An abandoned truck sits washed off the roadway from floodwaters overtopping the road outside in Dillon, S.C., Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. Gerald Herbert, AP
People stand in long lines in downtown Wilmington, N.C. as they waiting to buy ice from The Rose Ice and Coal Company, Sept. 17, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Cross Creek overflows into Festival Park and nearby roadways, in Fayetteville, N.C. Sept. 17, 2018, in the aftermath of Florence. Drone photo by JEREMIAH WILSON and XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/ USA TODAY NETWORK
Ethan Edwards from Whiteville, N.C., rides along flooded Red HIll Road completely cut off by flooding of the Red Hill Swamp near Whiteville, N.c, Sept. 17, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Lee Duncan of Clarkton, NC checks the road on foot finding it unfit to drive through with his truck. Duncan was unable to find a way home to Clarkton due to flooded roads across Slades Swamp which submerged Rico and Baldwin Roads at the Bladen and Columbus County Line just 2 miles south of Clarkton. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Members of the North Carolina Task Force urban search and rescue team wade through a flooded neighborhood looking for residents who stayed behind as Florence continues to dump heavy rain in Fayetteville, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018. DAVID GOLDMAN, AP
Members of the North Carolina Task Force urban search and rescue team check cars in a flooded neighborhood looking for residents who stayed behind as Florence continues to dump heavy rain in Fayetteville, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018. DAVID GOLDMAN, AP
A worker from Asplundh Tree Expert Company cuts tree limbs from a power line after a huge tree fell on Sept. 16, 2018, in Morganton, N.C. KATHY KMONICEK, AP
A South Carolina Army National Guardsman directs trucks full of sand along U.S. 501 South outside of Conway, S.C. in preparation of rising water levels on the Waccamaw River on Sept. 16, 2018. JOSH MORGAN, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
Rick Parker fills up gas cans for his generator at a filling station in Bridgeton, N.C. Sept. 16, 2018. TARIQ ZEHAWI, NorthJersey.com via USA TODAY NETWORK
An Engineering unit from the South Carolina Army National Guard lay down sand bags along U.S. 501 just outside of Conway, S.C. in preparation of rising water levels on the Waccamaw River Sept. 16, 2018. JOSH MORGAN, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
Clean up begins in Wilmington, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018. JACK GRUBER, USA TODAY
Dan Thompson, a contractor from Florida, assesses power line damage from a downed tree in Wilmington, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018. JACK GRUBER, USA TODAY
Kevin Heifferson helps load sandbags for Temika Bernard in Kinston, N.C., on Sept. 16, 2018. SHELLEY MAYS, The Tennessean via USA TODAY NETWORK
Cynthia Downes walks through her flooded home in New Bern, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018. SHELLEY MAYS, The Tennessean via USA TODAY NETWORK
Damaged boats in a marina in New Bern, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018. SHELLEY MAYS, The Tennessean via USA TODAY NETWORK
Damaged boats in a marina in New Bern, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018. SHELLEY MAYS, The Tennessean via USA TODAY NETWORK
A yacht sits between two homes in the historic downtown neighborhood in New Bern, N.C. on Sunday morning on Sept. 16, 2018. A homeowner said the yacht drifted from across the river in Bridgeton. Tariq Zehawi and John Meore, USA TODAY NETWORK
The rain continued in southeastern North Carolina Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Rocky Point, N.C. as customers waiting in line at the local grocery store get pelted during a deluge from Tropical Storm Florence. Chuck Liddy, The News & Observer via AP
Cross Creek Linear Park begins to flood Sunday in downtown Fayetteville, N.C. as Tropical Depression Florence continues to linger over southeastern North Carolina, bringing with it continuous rain and potentially devastating flooding for areas such as Cumberland County. Jeremiah Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK
"It flooded out with Matthew. We stayed here but that night they did have to rescue us in a boat. That's how high the water was here," said Iris Engle Jones of Fayetteville about her experience with Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Engle Jones and her partner, Damon Jones, have decided to stay in their home in Fayetteville, at the intersection of Nimocks Avenue and South Cool Spring Street, despite a mandatory evacuation in place for residences near the Cape Fear River. Jeremiah Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK
Damaged mobile homes from hurricane Florence which moved through the area in Jacksonville, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Steve Helber, AP
Erick Martinez grills chicken on his front porch while his mother Yanet looks on as floodwaters from Hurricane Florence rise around their home in the Magnolia Mobile Home Park north of Lumberton, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018. The Cape Fear River Valley, like many other river systems in eastern North Carolina, are expected to flood at record levels. Jim Lo Scalzo, EPA-EFE
Jay Singleton 46, of New Bern N.C. takes a break after removing all the insulation from the basement in his home that was built in 1810 in the historic neighborhood of New Bern, N.C. on Sunday afternoon on Sept. 16, 2018. Flood waters filled his basement and brought in one foot of water into the first floor. Hurricane Florence brought heavy rain and winds causing flooding in North and South Carolinas. Tariq Zehawi, USA TODAY NETWORK
Floodwaters from Hurricane Florence encroach on homes in Marion, S.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Gerald Herbert, AP
The Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant suffered storm damage from Hurricane Florence in downtown New Bern, N.C. on Sunday morning on Sept. 16, 2018. Tariq Zehawi and John Meore, USA TODAY NETWORK
James Register rides his bike on flooded roads after Hurricane Florence hit Emerald Isle N.C.,Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Tom Copeland, AP
Chris Lishka works to remove a tree from his roof after Hurricane Florence hit Emerald Isle N.C.,Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Tom Copeland, AP
The damaged Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier after Hurricane Florence hit Emerald Isle N.C.,Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Tom Copeland, AP
Doug Erickson begins the task of cleaning the large fallen pecan tree which fell during Hurricane Florence in front of the CW Worth House in historic Wilmington, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Coast Guardsman Tyler Elliott, from Louisville, Ky., helps rescue one of 14 dogs, including 10 beagles, from a flooded home in Columbus County, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Andrew Nelles, The Tennessean, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Naiya Willis, left, and Candice Willis walk to an evacuation bus as they leave their home ahead of possible flooding after Hurricane Florence passed through the area on Sept. 16, 2018 in Fayetteville, N.C. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Manuel Osirio, 12, of Moorehead City, N.C., plays a piano among the pile of water soaked items being thrown out at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in New Bern, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Tariq Zehawi, NorthJersey.com, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Chicken farm buildings are inundated with floodwater from Hurricane Florence near Trenton, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Steve Helber, AP
Coast Guardsman Tyler Elliott, from Louisville, Ky., surveys a flooded neighborhood in Columbus County, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Andrew Nelles, The Tennessean, via USA TODAY NETWORK
A yacht rests on the side of a downtown hotel in New Bern, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Hurricane Florence brought heavy rains and winds to the area. Tariq Zehawi, NorthJersey.com, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Engineering units of the South Carolina Army National Guard lay down sand bags along U.S. 501 South just outside of Conway, S.C. on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in preparation of rising water levels on the Waccamaw River due to Florence. Josh Morgan, The Greenville News, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mackenna Munson, 21, attempts to get to her flooded car on Rankin Street in Wilmington, N.C, on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Her family stayed through Hurricane Florence and weathered the storm minus electric service but woke up on Sunday morning to find their street flooded with cars in the water. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
George Bloomberg fills gas cans at a gas station in Bridgeton, N.C. on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. John Meore, The Journal News, via USA TODAY NETWORK
A man peers from his flooded home in Lumberton, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Gerry Broome, AP
A driver plows through a flooded neighborhood along Market Street in Wilmington, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Robert Dolman walks past a car that has a large tree limb on it, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Wilmington, N.C. Mark Wilson, Getty Images
Keri Stocks, right, and David Thumser both of Wilmington, N.C., and without power in their home for the past 48 hours, look over the Cape Fear River on Water Street in downtown Wilmington, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Members of the Nebraska Task Force 1 urban search and rescue team help load an elderly resident onto a bus as they evacuate an assisted living facility to a church as a precaution against potential flooding the city could see from tropical storm Florence in Fayetteville, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. David Goldman, AP
A Waffle House outside of downtown Wilmington, N.C. is open for limited business during storm Florence, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Command Sgt. Maj. Sid Baker, left, and 1st Sgt. Christopher Jones of the North Carolina National Guard speaks with residents who declined to evacuate from a flooded neighborhood as rain from tropical storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018. ANDREW NELLES, The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
Command Sgt. Maj. Sid Baker, left, and 1st Sgt. Christopher Jones of the North Carolina National Guard patrol a flooded neighborhood as rain from tropical storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018. ANDREW NELLES, The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
Command Sgt. Maj. Sid Baker, right, of the North Carolina National Guard, speaks with the driver of a National Guard truck carrying evacuees from a flooded neighborhood as rain from tropical storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C. on Sept. 15, 2018. ANDREW NELLES, The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
First Sgt. Christopher Jones, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Sid Baker, right, of the North Carolina National Guard patrol a flooded neighborhood as rain from tropical storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C. on Sept. 15, 2018. ANDREW NELLES, The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
An abandoned SUV sits in a flooded neighborhood as rain from tropical storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018. ANDREW NELLES, The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
Command Sgt. Maj. Sid Baker of the North Carolina National Guard patrols a flooded neighborhood as rain from tropical storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018. ANDREW NELLES, The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
A drone photo shows flooded streets in Belhaven, N.C. on Sept. 15, 2018. JOHN MEORE & TARIQ ZEHARI, The Journal News-USA TODAY NETWO
Power crews work to restore power after tropical storm Florence hit Newport N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018. TOM COPELAND, AP
A drone photo shows River Forest Boatyard in the middle of flooded neighborhoods in Belhaven, N.C on Sept. 15, 2018 JOHN MEORE & TARIQ ZEHAWI -USA TODAY NETWO
Homes sit over the water as waves from tropical storm Florence continue to pound the coast in Nags Head N.C. on Sept. 15, 2018. STEVE HELBER, AP
Debris from hurricane Florence litters Rt. 17 near Wilmington, N.C. on Sept. 15, 2018. JIM LO SCALZO, EPA-EFE
A woman speaks into a cellphone asking for help at her flooded residence in Lumberton, N.C., on Sept.15, 2018 in the wake of Hurricane Florence. Members of the Cajun Navy came to her rescue. Besides federal and state emergency crews, rescuers were being helped by volunteers from the "Cajun Navy", civilians equipped with light boats, canoes and air mattresses, who also turned up in Houston during Hurricane Harvey to carry out water rescues. Alex Edelman, AFP/Getty Images
The Cajun Navy resue team patrols flood waters in Lumberton, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018 in the wake of Hurricane Florence. Alex Edelman, AFP/Getty Images
People wait in line to fill up their gas cans at a gas station that was damaged when Hurricane Florence hit the area, on Sept. 15, 2018 in Wilmington, N.C.. Mark Wilson, Getty Images
A resident walks down a flooded street in Belhaven, N.C., on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. John Meore, The Journal News-USA TODAY NETWO
A yacht sits on the Neuse river bank next to a hotel after hurricane Florence passed through the area in New Bern, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Steve Helber, AP
Bystanders help a stranded motorist after floodwaters from Hurricane Florence flooded his car along Route 17 near Holly Ridge, N.C Sept. 15, 2018. Storm surge and heavy flooding from the hurricane has inundated much of Eastern North Carolina. Florence has been downgraded to a tropical storm but is still expected to bring a storm surge with heavy flooding to the Carolinas. JIM LO SCALZO, EPA-EFE
A homes was destroyed along the Neuse River after hurricane Florence came through the area in New Bern, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Steve Helber, AP
A drone photo shows flooding in Belhaven, N.C. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 storm Friday and at least five deaths have been attributed to the storm. John Meore & Tariq Zehawi, - USA TODAY NETWORK
A convoy of utility trucks heading east to assist with damage caused by tropical storm Florence makes its way through a water covered stretch of U.S. Hwy. 70 east of Kinston, N.C., on Saturday Sept. 15, 2018. The road was closed to the public. Chris Seward, AP
North Myrtle Beach, S.C. residents swarm Boulineau's Corner, one of the first gas stations to open since Hurricane Florence swept through the area, on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Josh Morgan, Greenville News-USA TODAY NETWORK
A pickup truck drives on a flooded road past a farm house that is surrounded by flooded fields from tropical storm Florence in Hyde County, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Steve Helber, AP
Jessie Lawrence and her daughter Kinsley Spaid make their way home after Hurricane Florence hit Davis N.C.,Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Davis was said to have 4 1/2 feet of storm surge. Tom Copeland, AP
A Drone photo shows flooding in Belhaven, N.C. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. John Meore & Tariq Zehawi, The Journal News- USA TODAY NETWORK
Jeff Pyron, left, and Daniel Lilly cover Lilly's roof after Hurricane Florence hit Davis N.C.,Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Lilly said, "I had my house raised for Irene cause I got flooded from the bottom, now i'm getting flooded from the top". Tom Copeland, AP
A boat sits at the end of a driveway after a four-foot storm surge produced by Hurricane Florence ripped through the this historic neighborhood along the Nuese River Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C.. Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 storm Friday and at least five deaths have been attributed to the storm, which continues to produce heavy rain and strong winds extending out nearly 200 miles. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
North Myrtle Beach, S.C. residents check out the beach as high tide begins to come in on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Josh Morgan, Greenville News-USA TODAY NETWOR
Jerry King uses a dustpan to scrape mud off of his floors after a four-foot storm surge produced by Hurricane Florence ripped through the Queen's Point condos along the Nuese River Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C.. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Members of a swift water rescue team check a flooded street caused by the tropical storm Florence in New Bern, N.C., on Saturday Sept. 15, 2018. Chris Seward, AP
Mike Pollack searches for a drain in the yard of his flooded waterfront home a day after Hurricane Florence hit the area, on Sept. 15, 2018 in Wilmington, N.C.. Mark Wilson, Getty Images
Liz Miller attempts to put on garbage bags before going to the beach to check out the high tide in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Josh Morgan, Greenville News-USA TODAY NETWOR
Hundreds line up as a Harris Teeter Supermarket opens it's doors Saturday, Sept.15, 2018 following Florence, now a tropical storm, in Wilmington, N.C. Chuck Liddy, The News & Observer via AP
Floodwaters overtake US Route 17 and a car outside of Jacksonville, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018, during Tropical Storm Florence. The governor of North Carolina on Saturday warned residents displaced by a killer storm against returning home because of the dangers posed by rising floodwaters. "Know that water is rising fast everywhere, even in places that don't typically flood," said Governor Roy Cooper. "This system is unloading epic amounts of rainfall: in some places, measured in feet, not inches." Logan Cyrus, AFP/Getty Images
Tropical Storm Florence continues to unleash massive amount of rain on Lumberton, N.C. on Sept.15, 2018 causing downed trees and power lines and minor flooding in areas. Jeremiah Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK
Flood water reaches the home of William and Mittie Wooten as rain from Tropical Storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Andrew Nelles, The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
Public Works Department worker Noah Clark uses a pitch fork to remove debris from East Second St. in Washington, N.C. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. John Meore, The Journal News-USA TODAY NETWORK
The courtyard at Queen's Point condos is filled with residents' belongings after the storm surge from Hurricane Florence tore open the lower floors with a four-foot high storm surge Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C. Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 storm Friday and at least five deaths have been attributed to the storm, which continues to produce heavy rain and strong winds extending out nearly 200 miles. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
A boat lays smashed against a car garage, deposited there by the high winds and storm surge from Hurricane Florence along the Neuse River Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
High winds from Hurricane Florence uprooted a tree, crushing a car and toppling a wall surrounding a baseball field September 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
A car passes under a fallen tree as rain from Tropical Storm Florence continues to fall in Lumberton, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Andrew Nelles, The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
A downed tree sits in front of a home in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Josh Morgan, The Greenville News-USA TODAY NETWORK
Rescue personnel use a small boat as they go house to house checking for flood victims from Florence, in New Bern, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Steve Helber, AP
Boats are stacked up on each other in a marina as a result from Florence in New Bern, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Steve Helber, AP
Rick Sitzman takes a selfie with the statue of a bear, the city's symbol, that was dropped in the middle of the street by storm surge produced by Hurricane Florence Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Bill Wheeler makes a video recording of the damage to his store, Nautical Wheelers, after the storm surge from Hurricane Florence filled it with four feet of water on Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Lumberton, N.C., resident Floyd Locklear tries to keep the drains clear in his neighborhood near North Chestnut and East 15th streets Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, to prevent flooding from the storm that began as Hurricane Florence. Xavier Mascareñas, USA TODAY NETWORK
People walk on a beach in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Sept. 2018. Hundreds of South Carolina's residents have decided to stay in their homes, ignoring the mandatory evacuation order. Cristobal Herrera, EPA-EFE
The yard of a home is flooded in the Cherry Grove neighborhood in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Josh Morgan, The Greenville News-USA TODAY NETWORK
A section of the Highway 17 exit ramp remains closed a day after Hurricane Florence's storm surge washed it out Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
A sail boat lifted by the storm surge leans against a building at the destroyed Bridgepointe Marina a day after Hurricane Florence made landfall Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Volunteers from all over North Carolina help rescue residents and their pets from their flooded homes during Hurricane Florence Sept. 14, 2018 in New Bern, N.C. Chip Somodevilla,
Jeff Winecoff, Facility Maintenance Administrator surveys damage from Florence, around The Davis Community nursing home Wilmington, N.C., on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. KEN RUINARD/USA TODAY NETWORK
Jeff Winecoff, Facility Maintenance Administrator for The Davis Community, surveys damage from Florence around a generator which went down for 15 hours. KEN RUINARD/USA TODAY NETWORK
Sep. 15, 2018; Lumberton, NC, USA; Tropical Storm Florence continues to unleash massive amount of rain on Lumberton, North Carolina Saturday causing downed trees and power lines and minor flooding in areas. JEREMIAH WILSON/USA TODAY NETWORK
Homes are flooded after a storm surge from Hurricane Florence flooded the Neuse River on Sept.14, 2018 in New Bern, N.C.. Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1. However, The storm has since been downgraded to a tropical storm. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Waves crash into the Second Avenue Pier as Hurricane Florence makes landfall late on Friday. in Myrtle Beach, S.C. ALEX EDELMAN, AFP/Getty Images
Social Service workers help an evacuee with her medications at a storm shelter at Ridge View High School, Friday. Sean Rayford, AP
Beach goers walk the shoreline as winds from Hurricane Florence increase near Folly Beach Fishing Pier in Charleston, S.C. on Friday. Jeremiah Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK
With use of a generator Ed and Nancy Schueren make dinner as they cope with no power and water after high winds and water from Hurricane Florence hit Swansboro, N.C., Friday. Tom Copeland, AP
A man moves a large tree limb that downed power lines as the hurricane-turned-tropical storm Florence hit the Cherry Grove community in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., Friday. Andrew Knapp, AP
Eric Edwards Jr., left, and Elliott Farmer Jr. look at their phones from a blow up mattress at a storm shelter at Washington Street United Methodist Church as Florence slowly moved across the East Coast Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, in Columbia, S.C. Sean Rayford, AP
Debris from Hurricane Florence covers a street in downtown New Bern, N.C., on Friday. Chris Seward, AP
Members of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 4 from Oakland, California, search a flooded neighborhood for evacuees during Hurricane Florence, Friday, in Fairfield Harbour, N.C., Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 storm and flooding from the heavy rain is forcing hundreds of people to call for emergency rescues in the communities around New Bern, N.C., which sits at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers. CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY IMAGES
A home sits in high water on W 6th St after Hurricane Florence brought heavy rains to Washington, N.C. on Friday afternoon on Sept. 14, 2018. TARIQ ZEHAWI/USA TODAY NETWORK
Jacob Fernandez plays around on the tree that fell near his home as Hurricane Florence passed through the area on Sept. 14, 2018, in Bolivia, N.C. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Workers try to fix their truck after driving through high water in Washington, N.C. on Friday afternoon. TARIQ ZEHAWI/USA TODAY NETWORK
Mason Moise, 18, from Charleston, S.C., carries a U.S. flag in the increasing winds on Isle of Palms Beach Friday afternoon prior to the arrival of Hurricane Florence. Jack Gruber/USA TODAY
The mast of a sunken boat sits at a dock at the Grand View Marina in New Bern, N.C., on Friday. Winds and rains from Hurricane Florence caused the Neuse River to swell, swamping the coastal city. ALLEN G. BREED/AP
Men from a tree cutting service help clear a blocked road near downtown Wilmington, N.C., Friday. KEN RUINARD/USA TODAY NETWORK
Cars sit in high water on W 6th St after Hurricane Florence brought heavy rains to Washington, N.C. on Friday. TARIQ ZEHAWI/USA TODAY NETWORK
Neighbors sit on the front porch of Curtis Parks', 72 years old, home to check in on him since he and his neighbors have been without electricity in Washington, N.C.. TARIQ ZEHAWI/USA TODAY NETWORK
Stephanie Lemke of Mt. Pleasant, SC, enjoys the increase in the winds on Isle of Palms Beach on Friday afternoon prior to the arrival of winds and rain from Hurricane Florence. Jack Gruber/USA TODAY
A speed boat sits wedged in bushes in the parking lot of a waterfront hotel in New Bern, N.C., on Frida. Winds and rains from Hurricane Florence caused the Neuse River to swell, swamping the coastal city. ALLEN G. BREED/AP
Dori Baumwart, from the American Red Cross Disaster Services, checks the emergency supplies at the hurricane shelter located in South Florence high school, Florence, S.C., Friday. CRISTOBAL HERRERA/EPA-EFE
Rescue team members from the North Carolina National Guard 1/120th battalion go door-to-door as they evacuate residents in an apartment complex threatened by rising floodwaters from Hurricane Florence. CHRIS SEWARD/AP
A rescue team from the North Carolina National Guard 1/120th battalion evacuates an elderly woman from her apartment as the rising floodwaters from Hurricane Florence threatens her home in New Bern, N.C., on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. CHRIS SEWARD/AP
Rains from Hurricane Florence flooded park on the Pamlico River in downtown Washington, N.C. TARIQ ZEHAWI/USA TODAY NETWORK
High waters flood Market and Water Streets as Hurricane Florence comes ashore in Wilmington, N.C., Friday afternoon. Hurricane Florence has been downgraded to a tropical storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, though is still expected to bring a storm surge with heavy flooding to the Carolinas. JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE
A tree that fell on a house, killing two people, is seen during Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, North Carolina on Sept. 14, 2018. A mother and her infant were killed when a tree fell on their house, the first reported fatalities from Hurricane Florence, police said Friday. Wilmington police tweeted that the father was transported to the hospital with unspecified injuries. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Hurricane Florence flooded many streets in Washington, N.C. on Friday afternoon. TARIQ ZEHAWI/USA TODAY NETWORK
A home for sale sits in high water on W 6th St after Hurricane Florence brought heavy rains to Washington, N.C. on Friday. TARIQ ZEHAWI/USA TODAY NETWORK
The rains from Hurricane Florence flooded playground on Willow St. in Washington, N.C. on Friday afternoon. TARIQ ZEHAWI/USA TODAY NETWORK
Local residents sit outside the Pawleys Island Supplies drinking beer as customers come and go at the only open store for miles around on Friday, in Pawleys Island, S.C. Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images
Families enjoy Isle of Palms Beach Friday afternoon prior to the arrival of Hurricane Florence. Jack Gruber/USA TODAY
Hurricane Florence brought enough rain to cover the cars parked on 6th St in Washington, N.C. up to the hood with water on Friday afternoon on Sept. 14, 2018. TARIQ ZEHAWI/USA TODAY NETWORK
Charles Carver of Wilmington, N.C., looks at damage, a tree on his home, as Hurricane Florence passes through on Friday. KEN RUINARD/USA TODAY NETWORK
Wind, rain, and rising tide at the marina near Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, N.C., as Hurricane Florence just hit land on Friday, KEN RUINARD/USA TODAY NETWORK
The Weather Channel reporters stand near a split tree and fallen street sign at Chestnut Street and North Front Street in downtown Wilmington, N.J., as Hurricane Florence just hit land. KEN RUINARD/USA TODAY NETWORK
Chris Butcher, of Arborist Plus in Edgewood, Fla., talks with Mike Kiernan, right, about the damage to his home in Wilmington, N.C., after Hurricane Florence made landfall Friday. CHUCK BURTON/AP
Sitting next to a boarded up window, Grant Lefevre, 7 of Kitty Hawk, N.C., plays tic tac toe with his father Alex at Five Guys, which is one of the only restaurants open in the Outer Banks, Friday afternoon. The Lefevre family has been holed up in their home since Wednesday and this was their first meal outside of their home. Tariq Zehawi/USA TODAY NETWORK
A car is destroyed from falling bricks as Hurricane Florence passes over Wilmington, N.C., Friday. Florence smashed into the US East Coast Friday with howling winds, torrential rains and life-threatening storm surges as emergency crews scrambled to rescue hundreds of people stranded in their homes by flood waters. Forecasters warned of catastrophic flooding and other mayhem from the monster storm, which is only Category 1 but physically sprawling and dangerous. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Taylor Woolard, of Washington Park, N.C., walks though high water on River Rd after leaving his home which has about one foot of water on the first floor on Friday afternoon. Emergency crews in the background remove a downed tree after Hurricane Florence made its way through the area. TARIQ ZEHAWI/USA TODAY NETWORK
A woman holds a baby as she watches rising flood waters on the Cape Fear River during Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, N.C.. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP/Getty Images
The shelter of a gas station lies on the ground in Wilmington, N.C., after Hurricane Florence made landfall Friday. CHUCK BURTON/AP
A message left on the front door at the corner of East Water St. and South Academy St in Washington Park, North Carolina on Friday, September 14, 2018. (Via OlyDrop) John Meore/The Journal News
Firefighters work to remove a tree that fell on a house during Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, N.C., Friday. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images
Louise Cramer, 8, and Joy Vollmer, 8, right, both of Mt. Pleasant, SC, have been off school since Tuesday, enjoy Isle of Palms Beach on Friday afternoon prior to the arrival of winds and rain from Hurricane Florence. JACK GRUBER/USA
Sam Parks walks through flooded Water Street as Hurricane Florence comes ashore in Wilmington, N.C. JIM LO SCALZO, EPA-EFE
Jay Baker (R) and Chris Floyd (L) attempt to clear debris from a storm drain as Hurricane Florence comes ashore in Wilmington, N.C.. JIM LO SCALZO, EPA-EFE
A computer store boarded up its windows on the corner of Main St and Bridge St in Washington, N.C. on Friday morning. TARIQ ZEHAWI/USA TODAY NETWORK
A truck drices through a flooded River Rd. in Washington Park, N.C., on Friday JOHN MEORE/USA TODAY NETWORK
Lumberton resident Robert Chavis, 41, carries a filled sandbag as volunteers and the North Carolina National Guard reinforce a low-lying area as Hurricane Florence approaches Lumberton, N.C., Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. ANDREW NELLES/THE TENNESSEAN/USA TODAY NETWORK
Soldiers from the North Carolina National Guard reinforce a low-lying area with sandbags as Hurricane Florence approaches Lumberton, N.C., Friday. ANDREW NELLES/THE TENNESSEAN/USA TODAY NETWORK
Volunteers fills sandbags to reinforce a low-lying area as Hurricane Florence approaches Lumberton, N.C., Friday. ANDREW NELLES/THE TENNESSEAN/USA TODAY NETWORK
Volunteers Rivers Malcolm, left, 9, and Ben Miller, right, bump fists while filling sandbags to help reinforce a low-lying area in Lumberton, N.C.. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean
Soldiers from the North Carolina National Guard depart after reinforcing a low-lying area with sandbags as Hurricane Florence approaches Lumberton, N.C.. ANDREW NELLES/THE TENNESSEAN/USA TODAY NETWORK
A father and daughter learn that friends were injured in a house that a tree fell on during landfall of Hurricane Florence, in Wilmington, North Carolina on Sept.14, 2018. - Florence smashed into the US East Coast Friday with howling winds, torrential rains and life-threatening storm surges as emergency crews scrambled to rescue hundreds of people stranded in their homes by flood waters. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Rescue personnel remove a man from a home that a large tree fell on after Hurricane Florence hit the area, Friday. A mother and infant were killed inside the home. MARK WILSON/GETTY IMAGES
Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo talks about the first death of a resident from Hurricane Florence, Friday, during a press conference in Wilmington, N.C.. KEN RUINARD/USA TODAY NETWORK
Somebody's having fun. Deacon Etheridge, 14, surfs on a large puddle on Main Street in Swan Quarter, N.C., Friday, after Hurricane Florence made landfall. MATT BURKHARTT/USA TODAY NETWORK
Deacon Etheridge, 14, left and Fortino Beltran, also 14, surf on a large puddle on Main Street in Swan Quarter, N.C. MATT BURKHARTT/USA TODAY NETWORK
Ethan Hall, right, Michael Jenkins, center, and Nash Fralick, left, examine damage to Tidewater Brewing Co. in Wilmington, N.C., after Hurricane Florence made landfall Sept. 14, 2018. Chuck Burton, AP
Barry Shape attempts to clear debris from a storm drain as Hurricane Florence comes ashore in Wilmington, N.C. Sept. 14, 2018. JIM LO SCALZO, EPA-EFE
Rescue workers pray after attempting to remove a giant tree that toppled onto a house and killed two people and injured a third when Hurricane Florence came ashore in Wilmington, N.C. Sept. 14, 2018. JIM LO SCALZO, EPA-EFE
Jason Prevatte attempts to clear debris from a storm drain as Hurricane Florence comes ashore in Wilmington, N.C. Sept. 14, 2018. JIM LO SCALZO, EPA-EFE
"Everybody's right to be cautious, but I think everything is going to be all right," said Andrew Jenkins of Charleston after walking down Vendue Range to Waterfront Park in Charleston, S.C. hours before Hurricane Florence makes landfall in North Carolina. Jeremiah Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK
Amanda Daniels and her dog Dude on the beach in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina on Sept. 14, 2018. John Meore, USA TODAY NETWORK
Waves crash on shore in Kill Devil Hills, N.C. in theOuter Banks, Sept. 14, 2018. Tariq Zehawi, USA TODAY NETWORK
Russ Lewis covers his eyes from a gust of wind and a blast of sand as Hurricane Florence approaches Myrtle Beach, S.C. Sept. 14, 2018. David Goldman, AP
Russ Lewis looks for shells along the beach as Hurricane Florence approaches Myrtle Beach, S.C. Sept. 14, 2018. "We might get lucky we might not we'll find out," said Lewis of the storm. David Goldman, AP
Michael Henderson a professional skydiver, stands on the seventh floor of a parking garage in downtown Wilmington, N.C. as Hurricane Florence just hit land, Sept. 14, 2018. Ken Ruinard, USA TODAY NETWORK
Volunteers from the Civilian Crisis Response Team help rescue three children from their flooded home in James City, North Carolina on Sept 14, 2018. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Jeff Egyp carries a United States flag in windy conditions along the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, N.C. Ken Ruinard, USA TODAY NETWORK
Students Samantha Levine, Megan Boles, Aaron Newns, Dana Pawlowski and Isaiah Goham, of East Carolina University's Coastal Storms class, use anemometers to measure wind speeds at Union Point Park in New Bern, N.C. Sept. 13, 2018. Gray Whitley, AP
Jamie Thompson walks through flooded sections of East Front Street near Union Point Park in New Bern, N.C. Sept. 13, 2018. Gray Whitley, AP
Ronald Whitmer and Brenda Whitmer wait in an evacuation shelter setup at the Conway High School for the arrival of Hurricane Florence Sept. 13, 2018 in Conway, S.C. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Michael Nelson floats in a boat made from a metal tub and fishing floats after the Neuse River went over its banks and flooded his street during Hurricane Florence Sept. 13, 2018 in New Bern, N.C. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
A North Myrtle Beach, S.C. public safety officer informs beachgoers of the 7 p.m. curfew due to Hurricane Florence on, Sept. 13, 2018. JOSH MORGAN, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
Union Point Park is flooded with rising water from the Neuse and Trent Rivers in New Bern, N.C. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Hurricane Florence already has inundated coastal streets with ocean water and left tens of thousands without power, and more is to come. Gray Whitley/Sun Journal via AP
People watch the sunset at Battery Seawall in Charleston, S.C. on a calm evening as Hurricane Florence nears the coast on Sept. 13, 2018, much further north in North Carolina. JACK GRUBER, USA TODAY
Karen Glass takes photos of the the shore at Cherry Grove Beach, S.C. after the first rain from an outer band of Hurricane Florence hits the area on Sept. 13, 2018. JOSH MORGAN, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
A North Myrtle Beach Public Safety officer drives down North Ocean Boulevard as the first rain from an outer band of Hurricane Florence hits the Cherry Grove Pier area of North Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Sept. 13, 2018. JOSH MORGAN, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
Sue and Kevin York take a selfie along the beach in Oak Island in Southport, N.C., as Hurricane Florence approaches the North Carolina coastline on Sept. 13, 2018. KEN BLEVINS, The Star-News via AP
Josephine Mitchell, left, and Claudia Mitchell use clothing to cover their eyes as sand blows through the air at Buckroe Beach on Sept. 13, 2018. JONATHON GRUENKE, The Daily Press via AP
Portions of a boat dock and boardwalk are destroyed by powerful wind and waves as Hurricane Florence arrives Sept. 13, 2018, in Atlantic Beach, N.C. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Taliyah Wright-Crosby, 11, organizes Hurricane Florence supplies while watching her mother Arlean Wright-Crosby prepare dinner for her family in their home as they settle in to ride out Hurricane Florence along with other neighbors on Romney Street in Charleston before Hurricane Florence makes landfall along the East Coast. Jack Gruber, Jack Gruber-USA TODAY NETWORK
A motorist drives through a flooded area in the Swan Quarter harbor in Swan Quarter, N.C as Hurricane Florence makes landfall Sept. 13, 2018. Matt Burkhartt, Asheville Citizen Times via USA TODAY NETWORK
Fishermen launch a boat as they attempt to recover their haul-seine fishing net, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, in Virginia Beach, Va., as Hurricane Florence moves towards the eastern shore. Alex Brandon, AP
Blake Rothenberg, left, and Marc McLeod double park their kayaks on Cool Blow Street in Charleston, S.C. preparing for possible heavy flooding from Hurricane Florence. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
A spray painted message is left on a boarded up condominium as the outer bands of Hurricane Florence being to affect the coast Sept. 13, 2018 in Atlantic Beach, United States. Coastal cities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia are under evacuation orders as the Category 2 hurricane approaches the United States. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Waves slam the Oceana Pier & Pier House Restaurant in Atlantic Beach, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018 as Hurricane Florence approaches the area. Travis Long, The News & Observer via AP
Special cots for patients and caregivers are available for residents with medical needs at I.C. Norcom High School in preparation of Hurricane Florence, in Portsmouth, Va., on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Kristen Zeis, The Virginian-Pilot via AP
Volunteer Chuck Cruthirds, left, and April Martin, with American Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services, help set up a cot in the gym at the Brainerd Youth and Family Development Center on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management, American Red Cross and other organizations are joining to open and operate a shelter at the Brainerd Youth & Family Development Center for coastal residents fleeing Hurricane Florence, according to a news release. C.B. Schmelter, Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP
Town of Emerald Isle Town Manager Frank Rush surveys the south end of the island as Hurricane Florence approaches Emerald Isle N.C., Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Tom Copeland, AP
Danny White, 52, left, and his son, Buddy, 20, of Elizabeth City, board up the Pit-Stop Mini Mart in preparation of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 13, 2018. Tariq Zehawi, NorthJersey.com via USA TODAY NETWOR
Amy Mead of Wilmington, N.C. ducks a windy gust at Wrightville Beach marina in Wilmington, North Carolina on Sept. 13, 2018. Ken Ruinard, Greenville News via USA Today Network
Daniel Harris sits on the bulkhead of Mariners' wharf Park in downtown Elizabeth City, N.C. on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Harris plans to ride out the storm in his near by home. John Meore, The Journal News via USA TODAY NETWORK
Bob Bowman, from Virginia Beach, Va., gets some air as he kiteboards, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, in Virginia Beach, Va., as Hurricane Florence moves towards the eastern shore. Alex Brandon, AP
City of Charleston workers continue to prepare for Hurricane Florence along Market Street before Hurricane Florence makes landfall along the East Coast. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Jason Morris takes down one of several American flags ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 13, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected to arrive on Friday possibly as a category 2 storm along the North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Runners along the Battery seawall in Charleston before Hurricane Florence makes landfall along the East Coast. Jack Gruber, Jack Gruber-USA TODAY NETWORK
Police officers have the road leading to Emerald Isle blocked off to traffic as Hurricane Florence starts to hit Emerald Isle N.C., Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Tom Copeland, AP
Austin Emunson sits on sand bags in front of the garage to protect a chicken coop they moved inside prior to Hurricane Florence in Swansboro N.C., Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Tom Copeland, AP
Swan Quarter N.C fire chief Jefferey Stotesberry and his son J.T Stotesberry refuel generators and chainsaws at the fire department as they prepare for Hurricane Florence Sept. 13, 2018. Matt Burkhartt, USA TODAY NETWORK
Amy Neathery, left of Wilmington, N.C. gives a thumbs up to family watcher her get interviewed by Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel, before Hurricane Florence hit on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Ken Ruinard, Greenville News via USA Today Network
A pickup truck loaded with 24 cases of water is parked in front of the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Elizabeth City, N.C. Thursday morning as Hurricane Florence approaches on Sept. 13, 2018. Tariq Zehawi, USA TODAY NETWORK
Kida Lee reads a book as her brother Jude plays a game, as mother Jennifer Carty watches as they seek shelter at Burgaw Middle School ahead of Hurricane Florence in Burgaw, N.C. Sept. 12, 2018. EPA-EFE
Bobby Suggs, 69, checks his medications while waiting in a shelter for Hurricane Florence to pass after evacuating from his Myrtle Beach home, in Conway, S.C., Sept. 12, 2018. AP
Jason Moore, of Raleigh, N.C., packs to evacuate from Wrightsville Beach, N.C., on Sept. 12, 2018 as Hurricane Florence threatens the coast. CHUCK BURTON, AP
People evacuate ahead of the forecasted landfall of Hurricane Florence by seeking shelter at Burgaw Middle School in Burgaw, N.C. on Sept. 12, 2018. CAITLIN PENNA, EPA-EFE
A boy runs to the ocean at sunset on the Isle of Palms, S.C., as Hurricane Florence slightly weakens but remains a potentially catastrophic storm in the Atlantic ocean on Sept. 12, 2018. MIC SMITH, AP
People and pets evacuate ahead of the forecasted landfall of Hurricane Florence by seeking shelter at Burgaw Middle School in Burgaw, N.C. on Sept. 12, 2018. CAITLIN PENNA, EPA-EFE
A news crew pauses between segments at Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington N.C. on Sept. 12, 2018. KEN RUINARD, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jennifer Wilson gives a hug to Andy Correll at The Liquid Room, a bar near the riverfront in Wilmington, N.C., Sept. 12, 2018, before the arrival of Hurricane Florence. Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Henry Wright, 60, left, waits in downtown Charleston, S.C., Sept. 12, 2018, at a Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) bus stop which serves as a Hurricane Evacuation Bus Stop picking up people needing to be transported to the Charleston County Government Complex to be evacuated on buses to locations further inland such as Columbia, S.C. prior to Hurricane Florence making landfall along the East Coast. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Yugonda Sample waits outside of her car as traffic backs up along Oyster Point Road as people attempt to pickup sandbags Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Newport News, Va. The city was offering free sandbags to residents at the Public Works Operations Center as Hurricane Florence approaches. Police had to turn away residents because of traffic congestion. Jonathon Gruenke, The Daily Press, via AP
In this satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hurricane Florence churns through the Atlantic Ocean toward the East Coast on Sept. 12, 2018. NOAA via Getty Images
A gas station sits empty with its fuel pumps wrapped in caution tape in Jacksonville, N.C., on Sept. 12, 2018, in advance of Hurricane Florence. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images
Phoebe Tesh covers her face as she talks about packing to evacuate from Wrightsville Beach, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 as Hurricane Florence threatens the coast. Chuck Burton, AP
Patio furniture is seen in the pool in an effort to keep it from flying away as people prepare ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 12, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
James Waters of Wilmington, N.C., finishes surfing and stopped by to see his friends boarding up Jerry Allen's Grill at Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, N.C., Sept. 12, 2018. Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Steve and Jamie Galloway bag sand Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., as Hurricane Florence approaches the east coast. Gerry Broome, AP
People walk by the boarded up front windows of Bourbon Street in preparation for Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. The effects of Hurricane Florence in Southeastern North Carolina are expected to begin Thursday. Matt Born, The Star-News via AP
Sand bags surround homes on North Topsail Beach, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, as Hurricane Florence threatens the coast. Chuck Burton, AP
Kay Torrens, middle, stands with her husband Leo Torrens before leaving him at the Trinity Grove Nursing Home in Wilmington on Sept. 12, 2018. Hurricane Florence is expected to reach Wilmington on Thursday night. Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
Families board evacuation buses for a shelter in Raleigh, North Carolina less than two days before Hurricane Florence is expected to strike Wilmington, N.C. on Sept. 12, 2018. According to reports, hurricane Florence has weakened to a category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, with winds toping 125 miles per hour. Jim Lo Scalzo, EPA-EFE
Tim Avery pulls boards to the third story of a home as he prepares for Hurricane Florence at a home in Emerald Isle N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. Tom Copeland, AP
Kamil Korzec walks under the Second Avenue Pier in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Sept. 12, 2018 days before Hurricane Florence is expected to hit the coast of North and South Carolina. Josh Morgan, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
Barbara Coates finishes up preparing her boat for Hurricane Florence at the Lightkeepers Marina in North Myrtle Beach on Sept. 12, 2018. Josh Morgan, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
Karly Suggs takes a pillow, towels and other necessities to her car as she prepares to evacuate her North Myrtle Beach home, Sept. 12, 2018. Josh Morgan, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
Dane Evans, a fisherman, 36, of Swan Quarter, works on his 31-year-old fishing boat, Captain Drew, named after his six-year-old son, in the Swan Quarter harbor Sept. 12, 2018. As Hurricane Florence moves in, a storm surge of about three to six feet is expected for Swan Quarter, N.C., and around six feet for Ocracoke Island with 12-20 inches of rainfall for the entire area. Hyde county as well as several surrounding counties are under mandatory evacuation. Evans will be traveling to Washington, N.C. to stay with his girlfriend during the hurricane. Matt Burkhartt, Asheville Citizen Times via USA TODAY NETWORK
Billy and Stacy Prince and their dog Pixie begin packing up their vehicles to evacuate their North Myrtle Beach home on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. Billy Prince, who grew up in the area, said he stayed for past hurricanes but didn't want to take the risk with Hurricane Florence. Josh Morgan, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
MRYTLE BEACH, SC. SEPTEMBER 12: Poolside furniture is placed in the pool of a hotel ahead of the approaching Hurricane Florence on September 12, 2018 in Mrytle Beach, South Carolina. Hurricane Florence is expected on Friday possibly as a category 4 storm along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. Mark Wilson, Getty Images
Michael Waldo, top, owner of Waldo the Framer Construction, and Robert McKeehan cover the storefront windows of Catherine's Plus Sizes with plywood on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, at Cobb Corners in Rocky Mount, N.C., in preparation for Hurricane Florence. Alan Campbell, Rocky Mount Telegram via AP
Mark Lewis, left, conservator, and Alisa Reynolds, associate registrar, secure the painting "The Shoppers" by William James Glackens at the Chrysler Museum of Art on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018 in Norfolk, Va. As category 4 Hurricane Florence approaches, staff members pull priceless paintings off the walls near windows and skylights on. Later on, the entrance to the museum will be sandbagged. The' N. Pham, The Virginian-Pilot via AP
A high definition camera outside the International Space Station captured a NASA view of Hurricane Florence at 7:50 a.m. EDT on Sept, 12, 2018, shown in this video still. Hurricane Florence churned across the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday packing winds of 130 miles per hour (215 kph) as an emergency management official warned the monster storm would deliver a "Mike Tyson punch" to the Carolina coast. President Donald Trump urged residents to heed orders to evacuate and said the federal government was "ready for the big one that is coming." NASA via AFP/Getty Images
Mike Moore, a homeowner, evacuates ahead of the forecasted landfall of Hurricane Florence in Carolina Beach, N.C., Sept. 12, 2018. CAITLIN PENNA, EPA-EFE
Workers take boats out of the water in Wanchese Harbor as Hurricane Florence approaches the coast of the Carolinas Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Wanchese, N.C. Gerry Broome, AP
Kimberly Johnson works to board the windows and doors of Tommy Condon's Restaurant on Market Street in downtown Charleston, S.C. on Sept. 12, 2018 as residents prepare for Hurricane Florence to make landfall along the East Coast. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Bobby Vorn (top left) and Butch Beaudry (top right) prepare to attach wooden planks over the windows of an oceanfront home, less than two days before Hurricane Florence is expected to strike Wrightsville Beach, N.C. on Sept. 12, 2018. JIM LO SCALZO, EPA-EFE
A lift operator at Casper's Marina works to move boats to higher ground in Swansboro, N.C. on Sept. 12, 2018, in advance of Hurricane Florence. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images
Marge Brown, 65, says goodbye to her father, George Brown, 90, before he is evacuated from a healthcare home in Morehead City, N.C., Sept. 12, 2018, as Hurricane Florence approaches the east coast. "I'd like to stay and see what happens. I'm 90 plus," said Brown, a WWII veteran who says he's survived a plane crash and severe burns from a laboratory fire where he once worked. David Goldman, AP
Workers prepare Charleston City Hall for the comin storm in Charleston, S.C. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Workers prepare Charleston City Hall. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
The high water mark from the 1989 Hurricane Hugo shown on the wall of Tommy Condon's Restaurant on Market Street in downtown Charleston, S.C.. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
A man takes photos of a sign on a boarded up vacation rentals office near Wrightsville beach, N.C. on Sept. 12, 2018. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP/Getty Images
A warning flag flies in the gusty wind near Nags Head, N.C., Sept. 12, 2018. Gerry Broome, AP
Johnny Mercer's Fishing Pier juts into the Atlantic Ocean at sunrise on Sept. 12, 2018, less than two days before Hurricane Florence is expected to strike Wrightsville Beach, N.C.. JIM LO SCALZO, EPA-EFE
Lewis Patrick, left, and Shaun Long, right, of Wilmington, N.C. wait over an hour to check in the New Hanover County emergency shelter at Trask Middle School in Wilmington on Sept. 11, 2018. Ken Ruinard, Greenville News via USA Today Network
Jaime Waynick, an employee with New Hanover County, takes a dog for a walk at the county emergency shelter held at Trask Middle School in Wilmington, N.C. on Sept. 11, 2018. Ken Ruinard, Greenville News via USA Today Network
This US Navy photo released September 12, 2018 shows a Sailor as he heaves line during a heavy weather mooring evolution in preparation for Hurricane Florence on Sept. 11, 2018 in Norfolk, Va.. Some ships will not get underway due to maintenance and are taking extra precautions to avoid potential damage. Commanding officers have a number of options when staying in port. Some of these options include adding additional mooring and storm lines, dropping the anchor, and disconnecting shore power cables. JUSTIN WOLPERT, Navy Office of Information/AFP/Getty Images
Topher Snyder, 7, plays in leftover sand as his parents Jeremy, left, and Tobi, center, tie off sandbags on Sept 11, 2018, in Virginia Beach. The city dumped mounds of free sand in one of the parking lots at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex for residents to use ahead of Hurricane Florence. Vicki Cronis-Nohe, The Virginian-Pilot via AP
Cars drive slowly away from the coast on I-40 in Garner, N.C. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. Ken Ruinard, Greenville News, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Meredith Reddick, left, and her father Gordon Reddick, owner of Redix store, talk about debris flying through the air and the need for plywood boards covering his windows, on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. Reddick has used the same boards since 1993, and wrote names for each storm ever since. Ken Ruinard, Greenville News, via USA TODAY NETWORK
A wood post exhibit created by Dylan Rosbrugh in 2017 shows past hurricanes in Wilmington, N.C., Tuesday, September 11, 2018. Ken Ruinard, Greenville News, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jon Wright, 63, of Wilmington, N.C., drills screws in plywood to cover windows at the Causeway Cafe in Wilmington, N.C., on Tuesday, September 11, 2018. Hurricane Florence is expected to arrive in Wilmington late Thursday night through Friday morning. Ken Ruinard, Greenville News, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Plenty of tourists enjoyed the beach despite rough surf on Assateague Island, Va., on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. The island is part of the state's zone A evacuation that was issued in advance of Hurricane Florence, but local officials have not asked residents to leave yet. Jenna Miller, The Daily Times, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Angie Travis and her husband Jeff place large piece of plywood over a window on their vacation home in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Sept.11, 2018 as they prepare for Hurricane Florence. Josh Morgan, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
David Fries of North Myrtle Beach fills up his vehicle on Sept. 11, 2018, days before Hurricane Florence is expected to hit the coast of North and South Carolina. Fries said he will be staying at his home with his pets, but his wife and mother-in-law will be evacuating. Josh Morgan, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
Veronica Gallardo, left, and Robert Kelly place a plastic tarp over the American Flag that hung in the cell of Jefferson Davis inside the Casemate Museum on Fort Monroe, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, in Hampton, Va. The staff is preparing for rising waters and other possible flooding due to Hurricane Florence. Jonathon Gruenke, The Daily Press via AP
An F-22 departs Langley Air Force Base, Va., Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, 2018, as Hurricane Florence approaches the Eastern Seaboard. Officials from Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton said the base's F-22 Raptors and T-38 Talon training jets, as a precaution, were headed for Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in central Ohio. Jonathon Gruenke, The Daily Press via AP
MYRTLE BEACH, SC - SEPTEMBER 11: A store's bread shelves are bare as people stock up on food ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 11, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Florence, already packing 130 mph winds, is expected to make landfall by late Thursday at near Category 5 strength along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
PFC. Traequan Shaw of the South Carolina National Guard directs traffic onto US 501 as the South Carolina government ordered that traffic use all the lanes on the route leading away from the coast to facilitate the evacuation of people ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 11, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.. Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Don Ludemann boards up the windows of his second home in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Sept. 11, 2018 Josh Morgan, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
Workers board up a home on Sept. 11, 2018 in Wrightsville Beach, N.C.. Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Clint McBride (R) cuts plywood to be put over a home's window on Sept. 11, 2018 in Wrightsville Beach, N.C.. Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Preston Guiher carries a sheet of plywood as he prepares to board up a Wells Fargo bank in downtown Charleston, S.C., Sept. 11, 2018. Mic Smith, AP
Lee Dorton, owner of Infused Olive in North Myrtle Beach, cuts pieces of plywood before placing them over the windows of his business on Sept. 11, 2018. Josh Morgan, The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
A women walks past a local shopon Sept. 11, 2018 in Wrightsville Beach, N.C.. Mark Wilson/Getty Image
Michael Schwartz (L) and Jay Schwartz secure plywood over the windows of their business ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 11, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.. Florence is expected to make landfall by late Thursday to near Category 5 strength along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
An employee of the Wrightsville Beach Parking office, collects the electronic parts of the parking meters on North Lumina Avenue in Wrightsville Beach, removing the meters in anticipation of Hurricane Florence's high storm surge. More than a million people were under evacuation orders in the eastern United States Tuesday, where powerful Hurricane Florence threatened catastrophic damage to a region popular with vacationers and home to crucial government institutions. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images
Marcus Thurston and his wife Shenae Thurston cut short their vacation and evacuate the South Bay Inn and Suites hotel ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 11, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
A man helps board up Aussie Island surf shop in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., in anticipation of Hurricane Florence's high storm surge. LOGAN CYRUS, AFP/Getty Images
Jacob Whitehead (L) and Matt Jones hit golf balls into the surf at Wrightsville Beach, N.C., as Hurricane Florence approaches on Sept. 11, 2018. Mark Wilson, Getty Images
Home Depot employee Jim Brown helps a customer load plywood into his truck as residents prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Florence on Sept.11, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.. Hurricane Florence is expected on Friday possibly as a category 4 storm along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. Getty Images
Roberts Grocery Store in Wrightsville Beach, N.C. boards up it's windows as they prepare for Hurricane Florence, Sept. 10, 2018. Ken Blevins /The Star-News via AP
Chris Brace, from Charleston, S.C. lowers hurricane shutters on a client's house in preparation for Hurricane Florence at Sullivan's Island, S.C., Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. Brace said that after S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster ordered an evacuation the property owner asked for the house to be boarded up. Mic Smith, AP
A handout photo made available by the Navy Office of Information shows The guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) departing in Norfolk, Va., Sept. 10, 2018. There are nearly 30 ships preparing to get underway from Naval Station Norfolk and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek as Hurricane Florence is forecasted to bring high winds and rain to the Mid-Atlantic coast. Ships will be directed to areas of the Atlantic where they can best avoid the storm. Caledon Rabbipal, U.S. Navy, via EPA-EFE
Walker Townsend, left, from the Isle of Palms, S.C., fills a sand bag while Dalton Trout holds the bag at the Isle of Palms municipal lot where the city was giving away free sand in preparation for Hurricane Florence at the Isle of Palms S.C., Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. Mic Smith, AP
Kevin Orth loads sandbags into cars on Milford Street as he helps residents prepare for Hurricane Florence, Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, in Charleston, S.C. Grace Beahm Alford, The Post And Courier, via AP
Larry Pierson, from the Isle of Palms, S.C., purchases bottled water from the Harris Teeter grocery store on the Isle of Palms in preparation for Hurricane Florence at the Isle of Palms S.C., Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. Mic Smith, AP
Chris Rayner helps customers load their cars as they buy supplies at The Home Depot on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, in Wilmington, N.C. Hurricane Florence rapidly strengthened into a potentially catastrophic hurricane on Monday as it closed in on North and South Carolina, carrying winds and water that could wreak havoc over a wide stretch of the eastern United States later this week. Ken Blevins, The Star-News, via AP
This photo provided by NASA shows Hurricane Florence from the International Space Station on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, as it threatens the U.S. East Coast. Forecasters said Florence could become an extremely dangerous major hurricane sometime Monday and remain that way for days. NASA via AP
People buy supplies at The Home Depot on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, in Wilmington, N.C. Ken Blevins, The Star-News, via AP
Alex Gilewicz buys supplies at The Home Depot on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, in Wilmington, N.C. Residents of Wilmington and Southeastern N.C. Ken Blevins, The Star-News, via AP
Jim Craig, David Burke and Chris Rayner load generators as people buy supplies at The Home Depot on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, in Wilmington, N.C. Ken Blevins, The Star-News, via AP
Mike Herring with Frank's Ice Company unloads another pallet of ice as people buy supplies at The Home Depot on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, in Wilmington, N.C. Ken Blevins, The Star-News, via AP
Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:
Replay
![Two people use a neighborhood street as a boat ramp in floodwaters from the Waccamaw River caused by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 26, 2018 in Bucksport, S. C. Nearly two weeks after making landfall in North Carolina, river flooding continues after Florence in northeastern South Carolina.]()
1 of 376![An antique car is inundated by floodwaters from the Waccamaw River caused by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 26, 2018 in Bucksport, S. C.]()
2 of 376![Workers uses farm machinery to navigate floodwaters from the Waccamaw River caused by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 26, 2018 in Bucksport, S. C.]()
3 of 376![A dog stands in floodwaters from the Waccamaw River caused by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 26, 2018 in Bucksport, S.C.]()
4 of 376![Brian Morris looks at the debris from his home in the Stoney Creek Plantation neighborhood Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, in Leland, N.C. Many of the homes here were flooded through their bottom floors due to rains from Hurricane Florence.]()
5 of 376![A basketball net barely sticks up above the flood waters at Lee's Landing in Conway, S.C., Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018. Predictions for the final communities in the path of Hurricane Florence's flooding aren't as dire as they once were. Officials originally expected flooding in the worst areas of Georgetown County to be from 5 to 10 feet. But the latest forecast lowered that estimate and the Waccamaw River in Conway has been at the same level for nearly a day.]()
6 of 376![Taylor James paddles a boat in floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence in front of Trinity United Methodist Church near the Crabtree Swamp on Sept. 26, 2018 in Conway, S.C.]()
7 of 376![Laura Totten helps to clean out debris from a home in the Stoney Creek Plantation neighborhood on Sept. 26, 2018, in Leland, N.C.]()
8 of 376![Ian Smythe clears out wet sheet rock from a home in the Stoney Creek Plantation neighborhood on Sept. 26, 2018, in Leland, N.C.]()
9 of 376![A home is inundated by floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Crabtree Swamp on Sept. 26, 2018 in Conway, S.C.]()
10 of 376![Brittany Lewis helps to clean out debris from a home in the Stoney Creek Plantation neighborhood on Sept. 26, 2018, in Leland, N.C.]()
11 of 376![Volunteers from the Samaritan's Purse walk along the streets in the Stoney Creek Plantation neighborhood in Leland, N.C. on Sept. 26, 2018.]()
12 of 376![Trinity United Methodist Church is inundated by floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Crabtree Swamp on Sept. 26, 2018 in Conway, S.C.]()
13 of 376![Dead fish litter the streets of Aberdeen Golf Club as floodwaters recede following Hurricane Florence, in Longs, S.C. Monday, Sept. 24, 2018.]()
14 of 376![The Polo Farms neighborhood off S.C. Highway 905 is largely underwater, on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Longs, S.C., due to Hurricane Florence's deluge.]()
15 of 376![In this Monday, Sept. 24, 2018 photo, a truck travels through flood waters from the Northeast Cape Fear River near Burgaw N.C., a week after Hurricane Florence.]()
16 of 376![The Polo Farms neighborhood off S.C. Highway 905 is largely underwater, on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Longs, S.C.]()
17 of 376![Lee Bertrand paddles through flooded equipment in his front lawn, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in the Red Bluff community, in Longs, S.C.]()
18 of 376![The bridge over Simpson's Creek is the only dry spot for more than a mile on S.C. Highway 905 in the Red Bluff Community in Longs, S.C.]()
19 of 376![Shawn Lowrimore wades into the water near The Fellowship With Jesus Ministries church in Yauhannah, S.C., on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. The church is on the bank of the Waccamaw River which has already risen above its record crest and is expected to keep rising for several days, forcing thousands of evacuations in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.]()
20 of 376![This Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 photo provided by the North Carolina Department of Transportation shows fish left on Interstate 40 in Pender County in eastern North Carolina after floodwaters receded. Thousands of coastal residents remained on edge Sunday, told they may need to leave their homes because rivers are still rising more than a week after Hurricane Florence slammed into the Carolinas.]()
21 of 376![Kayaks are paddled up Long Avenue past flooded sections of the Sherwood Drive community of Conway, S.C., Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 as homes were submerged deeper than ever in flood waters that have already set historic records.]()
22 of 376![David Covington moves floating floor boards out of his path inside his flooded Conway, S.C. home on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.]()
23 of 376![Maura Walbourne sits in the front of a canoe looking in at her flooded Long Avenue home as David Covington wades through the wreckage in Conway, S.C. Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.]()
24 of 376![Floyd Boyd is reflected in floodwaters as he measures the water in his car port and finds it inches from entering his home on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 in Conway, S.C.]()
25 of 376![Coast Guardsmen and Conway Police help Denise Fulmer from her flooded Busbee Street home on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, where she would be relocated to a shelter at Conway Recreation Center.]()
26 of 376![People navigate floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Waccamaw River on Sept. 23, 2018 in Conway, S.C.
. Floodwaters are expected to continue to rise in Conway over the next two days.]()
27 of 376![Jason Johnson, left, and homeowner Archie Sanders work to build a temporary levee to hold back floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Waccamaw River on Sept. 23, 2018 in Conway, S.C.]()
28 of 376![A duck flaps its wings in front of a home inundated with floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Waccamaw River on Sept. 23, 2018 in Conway, S.C.]()
29 of 376![People use boats to rescue valuables from a home inundated by floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Waccamaw River on Sept. 23, 2018 in Conway, S.C.]()
30 of 376![A woman documents floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Waccamaw River on Sept. 23, 2018 in Conway, S.C. Floodwaters are expected to continue to rise in Conway over the next two days.]()
31 of 376![The Williams family rapidly removes their belongings trying to keep their mattresses dry, on Sept. 21, 2018 in Longs, S.C.. With muddy river water still washing over entire communities on Friday, eight days after Hurricane Florence slammed into land with nearly 3 feet of rain, new evacuation orders forced residents to flee to higher ground amid a sprawling disaster that's beginning to feel like it will never end.]()
32 of 376![The Waccamaw River overflows it's banks at Highway 9, Friday, in Conway, S.C.]()
33 of 376![T.J. Williams, age 12, helps remove chairs from his family home on Collins street where his family were removing their belongings ahead of rising waters, Friday, in Longs, S.C.]()
34 of 376![Luis Gomez rescues baby chicks from floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence near the Todd Swamp in Longs, S.C.. Floodwaters are expected to rise in the area in through the weekend.]()
35 of 376![North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper talks with Joyce Davis at an event feeding victims of Hurricane Florence at the Bright Hopewell Baptist Church, Friday, in Laurinburg, N.C.. Gov. Roy Cooper said the damage in his state is in the billions of dollars, but there was no way to make a more accurate estimate while flooding continues.]()
36 of 376![North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, right, surveys the heavily damaged cotton field of farmer Bryan Hagler during a tour of agricultural areas hit hard by Hurricane Florence, Friday, in Laurinburg, N.C.]()
37 of 376![A portion of a tobacco field near Faison, N.C. flooded by water from Hurricane Florence is seen from a N.C. National Guard Blackhawk helicopter as Governor Roy Cooper tours agricultural areas of eastern N.C. hit hard by the storm.]()
38 of 376![Shane Clark carries his son Caleb over flood waters at Lee's Landing Circle as he evacuates his family from their river home, Friday, in Conway, S.C.]()
39 of 376![Rows of mailbox protrude through floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Nichols, S.C., Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. Virtually the entire town is flooded and inaccessible except by boat, just two years after it was flooded by Hurricane Matthew.]()
40 of 376![Professional disaster recovery services work to cleanup storm damages at the New Bern Grande Marina Yacht Club in New Bern, N.C., Sept. 21, 2018. Hurricane Florence brought destructive flooding to areas in the waterfront business district.]()
41 of 376![Cleanup crews work to remove storm damaged belongings, spoiled food and soaked furniture at Trent Court Apartments in New Bern, N.C., . Friday.
Hurricane Florence brought storm surge which overflowed from the Trent River and forced many residents of Trent Court to evacuate.]()
42 of 376![A submerged car sits in floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Nichols, S.C., Friday.]()
43 of 376![Department of Natural Resources agent James Mills Cody patrols through floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Nichols, S.C.]()
44 of 376![Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan, right, loads boxes with goods for Hurricane Florence victims as he makes an appearance Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, N.C. The Hornets NBA basketball team packed food boxes as part of hurricane relief efforts.]()
45 of 376![Volunteer Johnnie Evans brings a wagon of water, Friday, to cleanup crews helping with the grisly task of removing storm damaged belongings, spoiled food and soaked furniture at Trent Court Apartments in New Bern, N.C.]()
46 of 376![A sign commemorating the rebuilding of the town of Nichols, which was flooded two years earlier from Hurricane Matthew, stands in floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Nichols, S.C., Friday. Virtually the entire town is once again flooded and inaccessible except by boat.]()
47 of 376![Phil Clough carries gear out of his garage in the Cedar Creek neighborhood in Fayetteville, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. This is the second time the house has flooded in two years.]()
48 of 376![Mike Dougal and Jasmine Brown clean out their flooded freezer and refrigerator outside their garage in the Cedar Creek neighborhood of Fayetteville, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. This is the second time the house has flooded in two years. They plan to move out of the neighborhood, but fear the house's chance for resale may be ruined.]()
49 of 376![Billy Hardee removes valuables from his home as floodwater caused by Hurricane Florence rises at Aberdeen Country Club on Sept. 20, 2018, in Longs, S.C. Floodwaters are expected to rise through the weekend in the area.]()
50 of 376![James Spencer helps a friend remove valuables from their home as floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence rise at Aberdeen Country Club on Sept. 20, 2018, in Longs, S.C. Floodwaters are expected to rise through the weekend in the area.]()
51 of 376![Storm damaged items and debris are piled in front of homes in the historic district in New Bern, N.C. on Sept. 20, 2018.]()
52 of 376![Technicians and repair services are working to restore residential utilities in the historic district of New Bern, N.C. on Sept. 20, 2018.]()
53 of 376![Rosemary Acevedo-Gonzalez retrieves clothing from her daughter's bathroom as she returns to their home for the first time since it was flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Spring Lake, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. "This is the only thing I can get," said Acevedo-Gonzalez of what was salvageable. "That's it. I'm done."]()
54 of 376![The wall to a room at the Starlite Motel is washed away in the flooding aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Spring Lake, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (]()
55 of 376![Part of the Starlite Motel is washed away in the aftermath of flooding from Hurricane Florence in Spring Lake, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018.]()
56 of 376![Lt. Keith Ramsey with the Pender County Sheriff's Office walks out to a boat while taking part in rescue operations in Burgaw, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A large area east of Burgaw is experiencing severe flooding from the Northeast Cape Fear River due to the rains from Hurricane Florence.]()
57 of 376![Jovani Quintano, left, and Carlos Gomez walk through a flooded neighborhood after heavy rains brought on by Hurricane Florence on September 19, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina. The death toll from the storm stands at 37 in three states, including 27 fatalities in North Carolina, according to published reports.]()
58 of 376![Laura Burgos pulls up carpet at Evolution Athletics East, which was flooded by the Little River after Florence, in Spring Lake N.C.,Sept. 19, 2018.]()
59 of 376![Ronnie Mayes scratches his head as he looks at the church he's attended his entire life, the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, where he is an elder, in Spring Lake, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. The church was damaged from the Little River which flooded from Florence.]()
60 of 376![Ronnie Mayes stands outside the sanctuary of the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, as a visible line on the door marks where the water level was yesterday from the flooded Little River, in Spring Lake, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018.]()
61 of 376![Hailey Maynard rolls a medicine ball while helping clean out Evolution Athletics East, which was flooded by the Little River after Florence, in Spring Lake N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018.]()
62 of 376![The North Carolina State Forest Services Office is flooded from the Northeast Cape Fear River in Burgaw, N.C., on Sept. 19, 2018.]()
63 of 376![Area residents ride down N.C. Highway 53 that is flooded from the Northeast Cape Fear River in Burgaw, N.C. on Sept. 19, 2018.]()
64 of 376![Area residents ride around neighborhoods flooded from the Northeast Cape Fear River in Burgaw, N.C. on Sept. 19, 2018.]()
65 of 376![The dam and roadway at Alton Lennon Drive in Boiling Spring Lakes, N.C. is washed away Wednesday Sept. 19, 2018 after water from Hurricane Florence overran it earlier this week.]()
66 of 376![President Donald Trump gestures to first responders as he visits the Horry County Emergency Management center in the area impacted by Hurricane Florence, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018, in Conway, S.C.]()
67 of 376![Teresa Nance is licked by her dog as she returns to dry land after checking on her home flooded by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 19, 2018, in Lumberton, N.C.]()
68 of 376![Ronnie Mayes stands in the Sunday school building of the church he's attended his entire life, the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, in Spring Lake, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018.]()
69 of 376![Flood waters isolate homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence Sept. 19, 2018, in Lumberton, N.C.]()
70 of 376![Jovani Quintano walks through a flooded neighborhood after heavy rains brought on by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 19, 2018, in Lumberton, N.C.]()
71 of 376![The Cape Fear River is seen well above flood levels in Fayetteville, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in the aftermath of Florence.]()
72 of 376![Homes on the Wood family's property are seen severely flooded Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in the aftermath of Florence in Linden, N.C. Dale Wood, who has lived on the property about 47 years, and his wife, Angie Wood, said their home was also flooded by the nearby Little River after Matthew, but not nearly to the same levels.]()
73 of 376![The scene of flood damage where the road was washed away on Williams Road in Duplin County on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018.]()
74 of 376![Wendy Rhodes takes photographs of her flood damaged home on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 in Hallsville, N.C. A mounted deer head fell off the wall during the storm where Rhode said two feet of water came into her home.]()
75 of 376![Mary and Phil Pongonis look at the damaged roadway from Hurricane Florence in Boiling Spring Lakes, N.C. Tuesday Sept. 18, 2018.]()
76 of 376![A flag marks where the Cape Fear River rose to during Hurricane Matthew in 2016, outside of Deep Creek Outfitters in Fayetteville, N.C. Tuesday, Sept.18, 2018. Tuesday morning the river stands inches below 60 feet. The flood stage for the river is 35 feet.]()
77 of 376![Homes on the Wood family's property are seen severely flooded Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in the aftermath of Florence in Linden, N.C. Dale Wood, who has lived on the property about 47 years, and his wife, Angie Wood, said their home was also flooded by the nearby Little River after Matthew, but not nearly to the same levels.]()
78 of 376![Spring Lake resident Patrick Wolvin wades through water from the flooded Little River, to buy his wife and neighbors cigarettes, in Spring Lake on the outskirts of Fayetteville, N.C., Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018.]()
79 of 376![Residents wait in line as the sun rises over Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Residents are allowed to return to the island today to check on their homes after Hurricane Florence.]()
80 of 376![A person takes photos of debris that is stopped by a train trestle in the Cape Fear River in Fayetteville, N.C. Tuesday, Sept.18, 2018.]()
81 of 376![Signs peak above the flooded Cape Fear River outside in Fayetteville, N.C. Tuesday, Sept.18, 2018.]()
82 of 376![Ashley Miller looks at photos she has taken of the fallen tree across Rolanda Drive after an apparent tornado touched down in Henrico County, Va., Monday, Sept. 17, 2018.]()
83 of 376![Utility crews move across a bridge on the opposite side of the Cape Fear River from Wilmington, NC Monday evening, Sept. 17, 2018. The Cape Fear River is expected to crest on Tuesday, September 18.]()
84 of 376![The sun sets along the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington with the USS North Carolina battleship seen in the distance on Monday evening, Sept. 17, 2018. The Cape Fear River is expected to crest on Tuesday, September 18.]()
85 of 376![People search out locations for fuel Monday evening, Sept. 17, 2018.]()
86 of 376![A message outside a razed home along the Neuse River in New Bern, N.C. on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. Near the flooded-out town of New Bern , where about 455 people had to be rescued from the swirling floodwaters, water completely surrounded churches, businesses and homes. In the neighboring town of Trenton, downtown streets were turned to creeks full of brown water.]()
87 of 376![People check out the flooding as the Rockfish creek overflows a roadway on Sept. 17, 2018 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Flood waters from the cresting rivers inundated the area after the passing of Hurricane Florence.]()
88 of 376![A pedestrian stands on a train trestle over the Cape Fear River near Person Street Bridge in Fayetteville, N.C., Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. The flood stage for the Cape Fear River is 35 feet, and after Florence the river stands at over 50 feet. It is predicted to peak at 61.8 feet according to the National Weather Service.]()
89 of 376![D.J. Grimsley of Fayetteville kisses his wife Sabrina on the head as she prays for victims of the flood, while looking toward the rising Cape Fear River on Person Street Bridge in Fayetteville, N.C., Monday, Sept. 17, 2018.]()
90 of 376![Cross Creek overflows into Festival Park and nearby roadways, as seen in a drone photo Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, in the aftermath of Florence in Fayetteville, N.C.]()
91 of 376![Bob Richling carries Iris Darden as water from the Little River starts to seep into her home on Sept. 17, 2018 in Spring Lake, North Carolina. Flood waters from the cresting rivers inundated the area after the passing of Hurricane Florence.]()
92 of 376![What appears to be a small levy breached due to storm waters from hurricane Florence in Rocky Point , NC., Monday, Sept. 17, 2018.]()
93 of 376![Jacob McPherson, 23, from Whiteville rides through the flooded intersection of Red HIll Road and Green Elkins Road completely cut off by flooding of the Red Hill Swamp near Whiteville, NC. on Sept. 17, 2018]()
94 of 376![An abandoned truck sits washed off the roadway from floodwaters overtopping the road outside in Dillon, S.C., Monday, Sept. 17, 2018.]()
95 of 376![People stand in long lines in downtown Wilmington, N.C. as they waiting to buy ice from The Rose Ice and Coal Company, Sept. 17, 2018.]()
96 of 376![Cross Creek overflows into Festival Park and nearby roadways, in Fayetteville, N.C. Sept. 17, 2018, in the aftermath of Florence.]()
97 of 376![Ethan Edwards from Whiteville, N.C., rides along flooded Red HIll Road completely cut off by flooding of the Red Hill Swamp near Whiteville, N.c, Sept. 17, 2018.]()
98 of 376![Lee Duncan of Clarkton, NC checks the road on foot finding it unfit to drive through with his truck. Duncan was unable to find a way home to Clarkton due to flooded roads across Slades Swamp which submerged Rico and Baldwin Roads at the Bladen and Columbus County Line just 2 miles south of Clarkton.]()
99 of 376![Members of the North Carolina Task Force urban search and rescue team wade through a flooded neighborhood looking for residents who stayed behind as Florence continues to dump heavy rain in Fayetteville, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018.]()
100 of 376![Members of the North Carolina Task Force urban search and rescue team check cars in a flooded neighborhood looking for residents who stayed behind as Florence continues to dump heavy rain in Fayetteville, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018.]()
101 of 376![A worker from Asplundh Tree Expert Company cuts tree limbs from a power line after a huge tree fell on Sept. 16, 2018, in Morganton, N.C.]()
102 of 376![A South Carolina Army National Guardsman directs trucks full of sand along U.S. 501 South outside of Conway, N.C. in preparation of rising water levels on the Waccamaw River on Sept. 16, 2018.]()
103 of 376![Rick Parker fills up gas cans for his generator at a filling station in Bridgeton, N.C. Sept. 16, 2018.]()
104 of 376![An Engineering unit from the South Carolina Army National Guard lay down sand bags along U.S. 501 just outside of Conway, N.C. in preparation of rising water levels on the Waccamaw River Sept. 16, 2018.]()
105 of 376![Clean up begins in Wilmington, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018.]()
106 of 376![Dan Thompson, a contractor from Florida, assesses power line damage from a downed tree in Wilmington, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018.]()
107 of 376![Kevin Heifferson helps load sandbags for Temika Bernard in Kinston, N.C., on Sept. 16, 2018.]()
108 of 376![Cynthia Downes walks through her flooded home in New Bern, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018.]()
109 of 376![Damaged boats in a marina in New Bern, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018.]()
110 of 376![Damaged boats in a marina in New Bern, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018.]()
111 of 376![A yacht sits between two homes in the historic downtown neighborhood in New Bern, N.C. on Sunday morning on Sept. 16, 2018. A homeowner said the yacht drifted from across the river in Bridgeton.]()
112 of 376![The rain continued in southeastern North Carolina Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Rocky Point, N.C. as customers waiting in line at the local grocery store get pelted during a deluge from Tropical Storm Florence.]()
113 of 376![Cross Creek Linear Park begins to flood Sunday in downtown Fayetteville, N.C. as Tropical Depression Florence continues to linger over southeastern North Carolina, bringing with it continuous rain and potentially devastating flooding for areas such as Cumberland County.]()
114 of 376!["It flooded out with Matthew. We stayed here but that night they did have to rescue us in a boat. That's how high the water was here," said Iris Engle Jones of Fayetteville about her experience with Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Engle Jones and her partner, Damon Jones, have decided to stay in their home in Fayetteville, at the intersection of Nimocks Avenue and South Cool Spring Street, despite a mandatory evacuation in place for residences near the Cape Fear River.]()
115 of 376![Damaged mobile homes from hurricane Florence which moved through the area in Jacksonville, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
116 of 376![Erick Martinez grills chicken on his front porch while his mother Yanet looks on as floodwaters from Hurricane Florence rise around their home in the Magnolia Mobile Home Park north of Lumberton, N.C. on Sept. 16, 2018. The Cape Fear River Valley, like many other river systems in eastern North Carolina, are expected to flood at record levels.]()
117 of 376![Jay Singleton 46, of New Bern N.C. takes a break after removing all the insulation from the basement in his home that was built in 1810 in the historic neighborhood of New Bern, N.C. on Sunday afternoon on Sept. 16, 2018. Flood waters filled his basement and brought in one foot of water into the first floor. Hurricane Florence brought heavy rain and winds causing flooding in North and South Carolinas.]()
118 of 376![Floodwaters from Hurricane Florence encroach on homes in Marion, S.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
119 of 376![The Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant suffered storm damage from Hurricane Florence in downtown New Bern, N.C. on Sunday morning on Sept. 16, 2018.]()
120 of 376![James Register rides his bike on flooded roads after Hurricane Florence hit Emerald Isle N.C.,Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
121 of 376![Chris Lishka works to remove a tree from his roof after Hurricane Florence hit Emerald Isle N.C.,Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
122 of 376![The damaged Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier after Hurricane Florence hit Emerald Isle N.C.,Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
123 of 376![Doug Erickson begins the task of cleaning the large fallen pecan tree which fell during Hurricane Florence in front of the CW Worth House in historic Wilmington, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
124 of 376![Coast Guardsman Tyler Elliott, from Louisville, Ky., helps rescue one of 14 dogs, including 10 beagles, from a flooded home in Columbus County, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
125 of 376![Naiya Willis, left, and Candice Willis walk to an evacuation bus as they leave their home ahead of possible flooding after Hurricane Florence passed through the area on Sept. 16, 2018 in Fayetteville, N.C.]()
126 of 376![Manuel Osirio, 12, of Moorehead City, N.C., plays a piano among the pile of water soaked items being thrown out at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in New Bern, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
127 of 376![Chicken farm buildings are inundated with floodwater from Hurricane Florence near Trenton, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
128 of 376![Coast Guardsman Tyler Elliott, from Louisville, Ky., surveys a flooded neighborhood in Columbus County, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
129 of 376![A yacht rests on the side of a downtown hotel in New Bern, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Hurricane Florence brought heavy rains and winds to the area.]()
130 of 376![Engineering units of the South Carolina Army National Guard lay down sand bags along U.S. 501 South just outside of Conway, S.C. on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in preparation of rising water levels on the Waccamaw River due to Florence.]()
131 of 376![Mackenna Munson, 21, attempts to get to her flooded car on Rankin Street in Wilmington, N.C, on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Her family stayed through Hurricane Florence and weathered the storm minus electric service but woke up on Sunday morning to find their street flooded with cars in the water.]()
132 of 376![George Bloomberg fills gas cans at a gas station in Bridgeton, N.C. on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
133 of 376![A man peers from his flooded home in Lumberton, N.C.,]()
134 of 376![A driver plows through a flooded neighborhood along Market Street in Wilmington, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
135 of 376![Robert Dolman walks past a car that has a large tree limb on it, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Wilmington, N.C.]()
136 of 376![Keri Stocks, right, and David Thumser both of Wilmington, N.C., and without power in their home for the past 48 hours, look over the Cape Fear River on Water Street in downtown Wilmington, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
137 of 376![Members of the Nebraska Task Force 1 urban search and rescue team help load an elderly resident onto a bus as they evacuate an assisted living facility to a church as a precaution against potential flooding the city could see from tropical storm Florence in Fayetteville, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
138 of 376![A Waffle House outside of downtown Wilmington, N.C. is open for limited business during storm Florence, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018.]()
139 of 376![Command Sgt. Maj. Sid Baker, left, and 1st Sgt. Christopher Jones of the North Carolina National Guard speaks with residents who declined to evacuate from a flooded neighborhood as rain from tropical storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018.]()
140 of 376![Command Sgt. Maj. Sid Baker, left, and 1st Sgt. Christopher Jones of the North Carolina National Guard patrol a flooded neighborhood as rain from tropical storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018.]()
141 of 376![Command Sgt. Maj. Sid Baker, right, of the North Carolina National Guard, speaks with the driver of a National Guard truck carrying evacuees from a flooded neighborhood as rain from tropical storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C. on Sept. 15, 2018.]()
142 of 376![First Sgt. Christopher Jones, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Sid Baker, right, of the North Carolina National Guard patrol a flooded neighborhood as rain from tropical storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C. on Sept. 15, 2018.]()
143 of 376![An abandoned SUV sits in a flooded neighborhood as rain from tropical storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018.]()
144 of 376![Command Sgt. Maj. Sid Baker of the North Carolina National Guard patrols a flooded neighborhood as rain from tropical storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018.]()
145 of 376![Flooded streets in Belhaven, N.C. on Sept. 15, 2018.]()
146 of 376![Power crews work to restore power after tropical storm Florence hit Newport N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018.]()
147 of 376![The River Forest Boatyard in the middle of flooded neighborhoods in Belhaven, N.C on Sept. 15, 2018.]()
148 of 376![Homes sit over the water as waves from tropical storm Florence continue to pound the coast in Nags Head N.C. on Sept. 15, 2018.]()
149 of 376![Debris from hurricane Florence litters Rt. 17 near Wilmington, N.C. on Sept. 15, 2018.]()
150 of 376![A woman speaks into a cellphone asking for help at her flooded residence in Lumberton, N.C., on Sept.15, 2018 in the wake of Hurricane Florence. Members of the Cajun Navy came to her rescue. Besides federal and state emergency crews, rescuers were being helped by volunteers from the "Cajun Navy", civilians equipped with light boats, canoes and air mattresses, who also turned up in Houston during Hurricane Harvey to carry out water rescues.]()
151 of 376![The Cajun Navy resue team patrols flood waters in Lumberton, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018 in the wake of Hurricane Florence.]()
152 of 376![People wait in line to fill up their gas cans at a gas station that was damaged when Hurricane Florence hit the area, on Sept. 15, 2018 in Wilmington, N.C..]()
153 of 376![A resident walks down a flooded street in Belhaven, N.C., on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
154 of 376![A yacht sits on the Neuse river bank next to a hotel after hurricane Florence passed through the area in New Bern, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
155 of 376![Bystanders help a stranded motorist after floodwaters from Hurricane Florence flooded his car along Route 17 near Holly Ridge, N.C Sept. 15, 2018. Storm surge and heavy flooding from the hurricane has inundated much of Eastern North Carolina. Florence has been downgraded to a tropical storm but is still expected to bring a storm surge with heavy flooding to the Carolinas.]()
156 of 376![A homes was destroyed along the Neuse River after hurricane Florence came through the area in New Bern, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
157 of 376![A Drone photo shows flooding in Belhaven, N.C. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 storm Friday and at least five deaths have been attributed to the storm.]()
158 of 376![A convoy of utility trucks heading east to assist with damage caused by tropical storm Florence makes its way through a water covered stretch of U.S. Hwy. 70 east of Kinston, N.C., on Saturday Sept. 15, 2018. The road was closed to the public.]()
159 of 376![North Myrtle Beach, S.C. residents swarm Boulineau's Corner, one of the first gas stations to open since Hurricane Florence swept through the area, on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
160 of 376![A pickup truck drives on a flooded road past a farm house that is surrounded by flooded fields from tropical storm Florence in Hyde County, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
161 of 376![Jessie Lawrence and her daughter Kinsley Spaid make their way home after Hurricane Florence hit Davis N.C.,Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Davis was said to have 4 1/2 feet of storm surge.]()
162 of 376![A Drone photo shows flooding in Belhaven, N.C. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
163 of 376![Jeff Pyron, left, and Daniel Lilly cover Lilly's roof after Hurricane Florence hit Davis N.C.,Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Lilly said, "I had my house raised for Irene cause I got flooded from the bottom, now i'm getting flooded from the top".]()
164 of 376![A boat sits at the end of a driveway after a four-foot storm surge produced by Hurricane Florence ripped through the this historic neighborhood along the Nuese River Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C.. Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 storm Friday and at least five deaths have been attributed to the storm, which continues to produce heavy rain and strong winds extending out nearly 200 miles.]()
165 of 376![North Myrtle Beach, S.C. residents check out the beach as high tide begins to come in on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
166 of 376![Jerry King uses a dustpan to scrape mud off of his floors after a four-foot storm surge produced by Hurricane Florence ripped through the Queen's Point condos along the Nuese River Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C..]()
167 of 376![Members of a swift water rescue team check a flooded street caused by the tropical storm Florence in New Bern, N.C., on Saturday Sept. 15, 2018.]()
168 of 376![Mike Pollack searches for a drain in the yard of his flooded waterfront home a day after Hurricane Florence hit the area, on Sept. 15, 2018 in Wilmington, N.C..]()
169 of 376![Liz Miller attempts to put on garbage bags before going to the beach to check out the high tide in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
170 of 376![Hundreds line up as a Harris Teeter Supermarket opens it's doors Saturday, Sept.15, 2018 following Florence, now a tropical storm, in Wilmington, N.C.]()
171 of 376![Floodwaters overtake US Route 17 and a car outside of Jacksonville, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018, during Tropical Storm Florence. The governor of North Carolina on Saturday warned residents displaced by a killer storm against returning home because of the dangers posed by rising floodwaters. "Know that water is rising fast everywhere, even in places that don't typically flood," said Governor Roy Cooper. "This system is unloading epic amounts of rainfall: in some places, measured in feet, not inches."]()
172 of 376![Tropical Storm Florence continues to unleash massive amount of rain on Lumberton, N.C. on Sept.15, 2018 causing downed trees and power lines and minor flooding in areas.]()
173 of 376![Flood water reaches the home of William and Mittie Wooten as rain from Tropical Storm Florence continues to fall on Lumberton, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
174 of 376![Public Works Department worker Noah Clark uses a pitch fork to remove debris from East Second St. in Washington, N.C. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
175 of 376![The courtyard at Queen's Point condos is filled with residents' belongings after the storm surge from Hurricane Florence tore open the lower floors with a four-foot high storm surge Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C. Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 storm Friday and at least five deaths have been attributed to the storm, which continues to produce heavy rain and strong winds extending out nearly 200 miles.]()
176 of 376![A boat lays smashed against a car garage, deposited there by the high winds and storm surge from Hurricane Florence along the Neuse River Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C.]()
177 of 376![High winds from Hurricane Florence uprooted a tree, crushing a car and toppling a wall surrounding a baseball field September 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C.]()
178 of 376![A car passes under a fallen tree as rain from Tropical Storm Florence continues to fall in Lumberton, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
179 of 376![A downed tree sits in front of a home in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
180 of 376![Rescue personnel use a small boat as they go house to house checking for flood victims from Florence, in New Bern, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
181 of 376![Boats are stacked up on each other in a marina as a result from Florence in New Bern, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
182 of 376![Rick Sitzman takes a selfie with the statue of a bear, the city's symbol, that was dropped in the middle of the street by storm surge produced by Hurricane Florence Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C.]()
183 of 376![Bill Wheeler makes a video recording of the damage to his store, Nautical Wheelers, after the storm surge from Hurricane Florence filled it with four feet of water on Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C.]()
184 of 376![Lumberton, N.C., resident Floyd Locklear tries to keep the drains clear in his neighborhood near North Chestnut and East 15th streets Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, to prevent flooding from the storm that began as Hurricane Florence.]()
185 of 376![People walk on a beach in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Sept. 2018. Hundreds of South Carolina's residents have decided to stay in their homes, ignoring the mandatory evacuation order.]()
186 of 376![The yard of a home is flooded in the Cherry Grove neighborhood in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.]()
187 of 376![A section of the Highway 17 exit ramp remains closed a day after Hurricane Florence's storm surge washed it out Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C.]()
188 of 376![A sail boat lifted by the storm surge leans against a building at the destroyed Bridgepointe Marina a day after Hurricane Florence made landfall Sept. 15, 2018 in New Bern, N.C.]()
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