The National Weather Service says more than 5.4 million people live in areas now under hurricane warnings or watches on the US East Coast.

Hurricane Florence, on track to become the first Category 4 storm to make a direct hit on North Carolina in six decades, howled closer to shore on Tuesday, threatening to unleash deadly pounding surf, days of torrential rain and severe flooding.

Here are the key messages on Hurricane #Florence as of 11pm EDT. The latest full advisory is available on https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb and information specific to your area can be found at https://t.co/SiZo8ozBbn pic.twitter.com/RQgHxhJW7G — National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 12, 2018

Another 4 million people are under a tropical storm watch. Assorted bad weather advisories stretched from Florida to Maine on Tuesday evening.

Those facing the most serious threat are in the Carolinas, as Category 4 Hurricane Florence barrels toward the coast, with an expected landfall Friday.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Tuesday that a hurricane warning had been issued from South Santee River, South Carolina, to Duck, North Carolina, and the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued from north of the North Carolina-Virginia border to Cape Charles Light, Virginia, and for the Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort.



Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:54 - GMT 06:54