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Our Adam Gabbatt has this update from coastal South Carolina. Him and Oliver Laughland are on their way inland now where Florence continues to mete out punishing rains:

In Conway, eight miles north of Myrtle Beach, the smaller creeks which run into the Waccamaw were already swollen and had broken their banks in some areas.

By Saturday morning a normally tranquil stream known as Crab Tree swamp was flowing fast and was just a foot from engulfing a bridge which provides north-south access to Conway.

David Hudson, a 29-year-old road construction worker who lives in Conway, had stopped his car on the bridge to film the water flow.

“I’m surprised this is that high,” Hudson said. “There’s usually walking trails down here. They’re underwater now.”

Hudson wasn’t overly concerned about his own home, which he said is 12ft above the flood plain. But having lived in this area a long time, he predicted the flooding would worsen over the coming days.

“In about four days when all the water comes down from North Carolina, that’s when we’re going to have a problem,” Hudson said.

Crab Tree swamp had already flooded the woodland either side of its water flow, and a number of houses and buildings seemed vulnerable if the rain continues.

In downtown Myrtle Beach branches from palm trees lined the main street, while on the waterfront the wind was blowing hard along the sand, whipping it up into the air.

High winds begin to dismantle a sign on the Second Avenue Pier as Hurricane Florence makes landfall on September 14, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Photograph: Alex Edelman/AFP/Getty Images

The water was a heavy, foaming swell, crashing against the columns of the deserted Second Ave Pier. Few people had ventured out – most heading warnings from officials to stay inside – but Aaron Lucas, a 38-year-old photographer and Uber driver, was standing on the beach with his camera.

“You want to see what’s going on, what all the fuss about,” Lucas said. “There’s nothing like staring down mother nature.”

Lucas, who lives three blocks from the beach, has not evacuated due to fears about being allowed back into the city.

“I’ve evacuated before and that was one of the worst things I ever did. Because coming back in can be a nightmare. It drains your funds, your energy,” Lucas said.