HURRICANE Florence has hit the US coast leaving streets inundated with ocean water and tens of thousands of homes without power.
The centre of the hurricane made landfall near Wrightsville, North Carolina, bringing with it life-threatening storm surges and 90mph winds.
The National Hurricane Centre warned there would be “catastrophic” fresh water flooding over a wide area of the Carolinas.
More than 60 people had to be evacuated from a motel at risk of collapse in Jacksonville. Parts of buildings ripped apart by the storm flew through the air.
Authorities in the North Carolina city of New Bern said there are around 150 people waiting to be rescued from rising flood waters.
The US National Hurricane Centre said that a gauge in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, recently reported 6.3ft of inundation.
More than 415,000 homes and businesses were without power yesterday morning, according to poweroutage.us which tracks the nation’s electrical grid.
Florence’s leading edge whipped the Carolina coast to begin an onslaught that could last for days, leaving a wide areas underwater.
Governor Roy Cooper warned of an impending disaster.
He said: “The worst of the storm is not yet here but these are early warnings of the days to come.
“Surviving this storm will be a test of endurance, teamwork, common sense and patience.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here