'Monster' Hurricane Florence Barrels Toward the Carolinas

By Inside Edition Staff

Updated: 12:25 PM PDT, September 12, 2018

The storm could hit Category 5 strength before making landfall.

Hurricane Florence is bearing down on the Carolinas, poised to slam the coastline Friday.

The monster storm showed signs of slowing down as it inched closer to the U.S., according to the National Hurricane Center. New projections indicate the now-Category 3 hurricane will move slightly southeast, with landfall expected between Wilmington and Morehead City, North Carolina.

Meteorologists are warning of potentially catastrophic flooding in the area, with isolated amounts of up to 40 inches of rain expected in parts of South Carolina. Coastal North Carolina could see 20 to 30 inches as well.

A dangerous storm surge could devastate the coastline, where the high winds will push destructive waves ashore.

Florence currently has maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, though it is forecast to strengthen Wednesday, potentially becoming a Category 5 storm before weakening again as it heads for the East Coast.

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The storm could hit Category 5 strength before making landfall.

Tags:

'Monster' Hurricane Florence Barrels Toward the Carolinas

East Coast Residents Prepare for Hurricane Florence

2 South Carolina Residents Found Dead After Traveling to Mexico With Friend for Tummy Tuck

Judge Approves Lawyer’s Request to Step Down From Case After Defendant Attacked Him

Brave Plane Passengers Take Down Man Who Allegedly Tried to Open Emergency Door

Lawmakers Condemn Tucker Carlson’s Portrayal of Jan. 6 US Capitol Attacks

Fashion Designer Christian Siriano's Studio Floods Prior to Oscars Ceremony

Group of Teens Causes About $20K in Damages in New York Restaurant

Teacher Allegedly Put Recording Devices in High School Bathrooms: Cops

Ex-Girlfriend of Former NFL Player Zac Stacy Speaks Out After His Sentence

Fisherman Encounters Hundreds of Sharks 15 Miles Off Louisiana Coast

‘Ted Lasso’ Themed Airbnb Opens in a Real English Pub

Buffalo Firefighter Dies While Battling Blaze in City's Theater District

Massive Sinkhole Swallows an SUV Near a California School

100-MPH Police Chase Ends in 19-Year-Old Crashing Into Truck

Alex Murdaugh Sentenced to Life for Murdering His Wife and Son

Family of Tennessee Woman Who Died of Stroke Outraged by Treatment From Police

Bungee Jumps, Hoverboards and Other Things That Malfunctioned

Hoda Kotb Tearfully Thanks Doctors and Nurses Who Cared for Her Daughter Hope

South Carolina Woman Receives Brain Tumor Diagnosis After Cops Pull Her Over

Ex-’Family Feud’ Contestant Shocked Over Allegations Competitor Murdered His Wife

Louisiana Gate Agent Caught Throwing Out Items From Passenger's Carry-On Bag

The storm could hit Category 5 strength before making landfall.

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