Tropical Storm Florence Ramping Up, Aimed At Carolina Coast

CHARLOTTE, NC — Early projections for the storm formerly known as Hurricane Florence have once again shifted, aiming the storm that’s expected to ramp back up to hurricane strength straight at the Carolina coastline. While it’s still way too early to determine the ultimate effect the storm will have on the Tar Heel State, forecasters say the East Coast could begin seeing signs as soon as this weekend.

“Regardless of Florence’s eventual track, large swells will begin to affect Bermuda later today and portions of the U.S. East Coast this weekend, resulting in life-threatening surf and rip currents,” the National Hurricane Center said Friday morning.

As of 11 a.m. Friday, Florence had a sustained wind speed of about 65 miles per hour. It’s expected to ratchet up to hurricane force wind speeds by Monday morning, and is projected to reach speeds greater than 110 miles per hour as it passes south of Bermuda Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Florence weakened to a tropical storm not long after becoming a major hurricane, but it is expected to strengthen right back up to a category 3 or higher in the coming days. If it does make landfall on the United States coast, it would happen late next week. See safety and preparedness tips below that you should do before the storm gets close.

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While there’s plenty of uncertainty about the final path, by midday Friday national hurricane forecasters urged those along the East Coast to monitor the storm’s progress over the weekend and put hurricane plans in place. “The risk of other direct impacts association with Florence along the U.S. East Coast next week has increased,” NHC said in its mid-morning update Sept. 7.

Hurricane Preparation Tips

• Take action now to be prepared for hurricane season. As the storm approaches, it is often too late to get ready. Make sure you have family evacuation and communications plans, update your emergency supply kit, and evaluate your flood insurance needs.

• Complete a family communication plan. Plan how you will assemble your family and loved ones and anticipate where you will go for different situations. Get together with your family and agree on the ways to contact one another in an emergency and identify meeting locations.
• Create or restock your emergency kit. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency, including an all weather radio.
• Check your insurance coverage. Most homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage or losses from flooding. Review your policy, ensure you're adequately covered and understand exclusions, and contact your agent for any changes.
• Stay Informed. Know where to go for trusted sources of information during a hurricane event. Monitor local news resources for hurricane watches and warnings and follow directions of local officials.
• Determine Your Risk. Find out what types of wind and water hazards are likely in your area. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem and their effects can reach hundreds of miles inland. Since the U.S. has not been hit by a major hurricane (category 3 or higher) in over a decade, "many people are suffering from hurricane amnesia in the forms of complacency, denial and inexperience."
• Develop an Evacuation Plan. Find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if your home is unfit to keep you safe in a hurricane. Speak with family and friends and work out a plan to use their home as an evacuation destination. Be sure to account for pets, since many shelters do not allow them.
• Assemble Disaster Supplies. Supplies are necessary not just for the storm itself, but for the often long and grueling aftermath. Stock up on non-perishable food, water and medicine to support your family for at least a week. Other recommended items are cash and battery-powered radios and flashlights. Since many of us use cell phones, have a solar-powered or hand-crank USB charger.
• Know Your Risk and Plan Ahead for an Evacuation.Know how to receive information including recommendations or orders to evacuate.
• If you plan to go to a shelter, notify staff of any special needs you or your family have.
• Do not return to the evacuation area until the evacuation order is lifted.

Technology has made it easier to prepare for emergencies, but it can be unreliable during big storms if you haven't planned to keep your gadgets protected and powered up. Here are some tips to make sure you are tech ready:

• Download the FEMA app. Receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States. To search for open shelters (for disaster survivors): text SHELTER and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA)

• Make A Social Media Plan. Use text messages, social media and email to connect with friends and family during emergencies.

• Mobile networks can become overwhelmed during emergencies, making it difficult to place and receive phone calls. Text messages require less bandwidth, which means they are able to be transmitted more reliably.
• Social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter can also be an effective way to update family and friends during emergencies. Facebook's Safety Check feature allows users to easily post a status update indicating that they are safe during a time of disaster.

• Register with American Red Cross's Safe & Well site to let family and friends know you're okay.
• Have an emergency charging option for your phone and other mobile devices. Smartphones have become a vital tool to receive emergency alerts and warnings,, so it's important to make sure you can keep them powered up in an emergency.
• At home: Before severe weather, charge all of your electronic devices. If the power goes out, preserve battery power by minimizing device use. Keep a back-up power source on hand to recharge your phone so that you can stay connected even during an extended power outage.
• In your car: Keep a portable phone charger in your vehicle at all times, and consider purchasing a back-up power supply to keep in your vehicle as well.
• Change the settings on your phone to low power mode or place it on airplane mode to conserve energy.

• Store important documents in a secure, password-protected jump drive or in the cloud.
• Capture electronic versions of important documents such as insurance policies, identification documents, and medical records. Don't forget to include your pet's information.
• Back-up your computer to protect photos and other personally important electronic documents.
• Scan old photos to protect them from loss.

Additional information can be found on the Ready NC website.

RELATED: Hurricane Season 2018 Not As Bad As 2017: Report

Image via National Weather Service