Hurricane Florence rapidly strengthened to a Category 4 storm Monday as it churned toward the Carolinas.

Its relatively unwavering path and swiftly growing strength marked the absence of a "strong steering flow," said Jake Wimberley, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Greer, South Carolina.

"Lots of strong storms form out in the sea and barrel toward land and take a sharp curve."

But this storm, with little to stand in its way, seems intent on making landfall on the Carolina coast Thursday.

What happens after that, for now, is anyone's guess.

RELATED: Track the path of the storm here

Florence is unlike other hurricanes

"Most storms that take a track like this don't move inland over the Carolinas," Wimberley said. "If (one of the forecast) scenarios pans out, where the storm comes ashore on the northern South Carolina or the southern North Carolina coast and moves toward the mountains — that really hasn't happened in recorded history."

That makes it unlikely, he said, but a lot of things about Florence are unlikely.

Since 1851, 33 named storms have been within 100 miles of Florence's current position, and none of those storms made U.S. landfall, Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach said.

And only one hurricane has brought sustained Category 4 winds to North Carolina: Hurricane Hazel in 1954.

More:How to prepare as Florence moves toward Western North Carolina

Florence does not appear to be taking a track similar to any past hurricanes, he said.

Other hurricanes that have smashed into the Carolinas include Hugo in 1989, Fran in 1996 and Isabel in 2003, according to weather.us meteorologist Ryan Maue.

Hugo was among the most intense. It made landfall in South Carolina as a Category 4 with wind speeds up to 140 mph.

More hurricanes expected

Two other systems are gathering strength in the Atlantic Ocean. Both are forecast to become named tropical storms and eventually hurricanes within the next few days, the National Hurricane Center said. The next two names on the list are Helene and Isaac.

Wimberley said there's even a possibility the storm immediately behind Florence could begin to interact with the hurricane, creating something called the Fujiwhara Effect.

That's a rare interaction between two closely formed storms, which could begin to rotate around each other, he said.

Hurricanes Iris and Humberto in 1995 interacted with, and absorbed, Tropical Storm Karen, for example.

Florence regains strength:'Plan for the worst, pray for the best'

It's too soon to say what will happen with the storms trailing Florence, Winderley said. "It's just something to consider over the next few days," he said.

Other considerations as Florence moves closer to shore: its interplay with shallow oceans, the land itself and the fluctuating sea temperatures as it approaches the coast — and, eventually, the land itself. All of which could affect the storm's path.

A possible stall, then torrential rains

Some scenarios have the storm stalling out, potentially dumping rainfall that could be measured in feet in some areas like North Carolina's Piedmont region.

"That happened just last year with Harvey near Houston," Wimberley said. "The storm did take on a wobbling path over the lowlands of southeast Texas, and there were areas that had several feet of rain during that event."

Fortunately, the storm appears likely to stay east of the mountains, Wimberly said, though he noted some newer projections had the storm taking a more-westerly path.

"The concern, if the heavy rain does move into the mountains ... is that the impacts could be far beyond ruining crops," he said, naming landslides, flash flooding and raging rivers all among possible scenarios.

Whether the mountains land on the east or west side of the storm center will in part determine the intensity of its impacts.

Robert S. Young, director of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines, a joint Duke University/Western Carolina University venture, said he thinks it's unlikely that Western North Carolina will receive more than 2 inches of rain.

Preparing for the storm:NC officials making preparations as Hurricane Florence approaches

"But it is unusual for a storm to get as far north as this one has gotten and head almost due west toward the North Carolina and South Carolina coasts," he said.

Tropical storms coming from the Gulf Coast historically have caused more damage.

Hurricanes Ivan and Frances, the remnants of which hit Western North Carolina only nine days apart in 2004, bought with them nearly 17 inches of rain and caused more than $200 million in total damages.

But even minor rainfall is a concern with already saturated soils in Western North Carolina.

Watching the skies

Karen Blaedow, the vegetable and small fruit extension agent for the Henderson County Cooperative extension, said some local wine grape growers are harvesting early in advance of the storm.

"With lots of flooding and rain comes more rotting of the fruit, and that's what we want to get around," she said.

Similarly, tomato growers are harvesting a little early as a precaution, as rain can shorten shelf life and cause bruising.

►Read more: Flooded Asheville-area farmers: "A lot of money just flushed away"

Tomato growers have had a tough year, she said, with May rains bringing 20 inches in two weeks, causing up to a 40 percent loss of production for tomato growers.

She said a strong storm could bring produce yields down 50-60 percent overall for the year. "It's been a tough year for produce."

Terry Kelley, the County Director of the Henderson County Cooperative Extension, said he's mostly worried about the wind impacts on Henderson County apple growers.

Kelley said the storm will approach in the middle of apple harvest season, when the trees are heavy with fruit.

The timing of this storm is similar to Hurricane Irma's, which brought rain and wind to Western North Carolina last September, he said.

"But rain's just become a way of life this season in Henderson County. We've been pretty much too wet all year, and rain during harvest season is just not a good thing ... we've been overly blessed with tropical weather system this season and it's certainly been a battle."

USA Today contributed to this report.