Florence could topple Katrina as costliest U.S. hurricane ever...
Florence could topple Katrina as costliest U.S. hurricane ever
Sept. 12, 2018 -- Hurricane Florence could cause more than $170 billion in damage to the East Coast this weekend and become the costliest hurricane in U.S. history.
The Category 4 storm is expected to hit the Carolinas late Thursday or early Friday and threaten cities in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Analytics firm CoreLogic calculated the $170 billion figure based on the projected costs of reconstruction after the storm. Nearly 759,000 homes and businesses could be destroyed, the firm said. Damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 cost about $161 billion and was responsible for 1,400 deaths.
Workers attach hurricane shutters to a historic home along the Charleston Battery in South Carolina to prepare for Hurricane Florence. Experts say the Category 4 storm could cause $170 billion in damage.
Whatever the cost toll from Florence, only a portion of the damages will be insured. The hurricane could cause $15-$20 billion in covered losses from wind damage and flooding by the time it's over, according to Risk Management Solutions. The catastrophe modeler looked at Hurricane Hazel from 1954 and Hugo in 1989, which both also made landfall along the Carolinas.
Tom Sabbatelli, an event response manager at RMS, said it's hard to predict how much damage Florence could cause. "There can be potential for significant uncertainty in a forecast track for a storm like Florence that is so far offshore," he told Insurance Journal. "Every event has its unique characteristics so we're using that as a broad-brush first pass right now." For property owners who don't have flood insurance, it's too late now. Most insurance companies have a 30-day waiting period before such coverage begins.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018...36746807/?mp=5
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Florence weakens to Category 2, 'life-threatening' conditions still expected
Sept. 12, 2018 -- Hurricane Florence weakened to a Category 2 storm on Wednesday as it approached the East Coast, forecasters said.
The National Hurricane Center said in its 11 p.m. advisory Florence will move northwestward between Bermuda and the Bahamas on Wednesday. It will then slow considerably and produce extremely dangerous conditions in its path. The storm will most likely strike the coast of North Carolina or South Carolina late Thursday or Friday. The NHC said an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft found that Florence's maximum sustained winds weakened to about 110 mph. As of 5 p.m. EDT Wednesday, the eye of the storm was about 280 miles miles east-southeast of Wilmington, N.C., and 325 miles east-southeast of Myrtle Beach, S.C. It was moving northwest at 17 mph.
Tweeting on Wednesday, from aboard the International Space Station, ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst shared: "Watch out, America! #HurricaneFlorence is so enormous, we could only capture her with a super wide-angle lens from the @Space_Station, 400 km directly above the eye. Get prepared on the East Coast, this is a no-kidding nightmare coming for you.
Hurricane-force winds extend 80 miles from the storm's center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward 195 miles. The storm is still expected to bring life-threatening rainfall and storm surge when it makes land in the United States. The National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C., said the hurricane is looking like a major event. "This will likely be the storm of a lifetime for portions of the Carolina coast," it said early Wednesday. "And that`s saying a lot given the impacts we've seen from Hurricanes Diana, Hugo, Fran, Bonnie, Floyd and Matthew." "I can't emphasize enough the potential for unbelievable damage from wind, storm surge and inland flooding with this storm," one NWS forecaster said.
Tweeting on September 12, 2018, from aboard the International Space Station, ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst shared: "Ever stared down the gaping eye of a category 4 hurricane? It's chilling, even from space.
A hurricane warning was in effect from the South Santee River, S.C., to Duck, N.C., and in the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. A hurricane watch was issued for Edisto Beach, S.C., to the South Santee River. A tropical storm warning, indicating the expectation of conditions below hurricane-strength winds, is issued from the Virginia-North Carolina border to Duck, N.C. A tropical storm watch is in effect b etween the area north of the states' border to Virginia's Cape Charles Lighthouse, as well as in the Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort. A storm surge warning, with anticipation of life-threatening inundation of rising water on the coast within the next 36 hours, is in effect for the South Santee River, S.C., to Duck, N.C., including the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers at the Abemarle and Pamlico Sounds. A storm surge warning was called for th e coast between Edisto Beach, S.C., and the South Santee River, and the coast north of Duck, N.C., to North Carolina's northern border.
Hurricane Florence swirls in the Atlantic Wednesday off the coast of North and South Carolina. The Category 4 storm was called the "storm of a lifetime" by forecasters.
Florence is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 20 to 30 inches along the North Carolina coast -- and possibly 40 inches in some spots. South Carolina is expected to see as many as 20 inches in some locations. "Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," the NHC added, also saying the storm could produce tornadoes in eastern North Carolina early Thursday. President Donald Trump has approved requests for emergency declarations in the Carolinas, which will trigger federal assistance to both states.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018...2931536167291/
Last edited by waltky; 09-13-2018 at 03:38 AM.
stjames1_53 (09-13-2018)
Granny says, "Dat's right - it's a dangerous storm...
Hurricane Florence could kill 'a lot of people'
13 Sept.`18 - Hurricane Florence, which is nearing the US East Coast, could kill "a lot of people", officials warn.
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Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) administrator Brock Long said storm surges may bring catastrophic flooding to inland areas. Though Florence has been downgraded to a category two storm with 105mph (165km/h) winds, Mr Long said it remained "very dangerous". He said "feet of rain not inches" would drench the Carolinas and Virginia.
Why isn't the downgraded storm less of a threat?
Mr Long told Thursday morning's news conference that while Florence's wind speed had dipped, its wind field had expanded and total rainfall predictions were unchanged. Floodwaters may rise up to 13ft (4m) as rivers see their flows "reversed", meteorologists have warned. "So this is a very dangerous storm," said Mr Long. "Inland flooding kills a lot of people unfortunately and that's what we're about to see." He warned that the deluge would begin within a matter of hours. "Your time is running out," he said. "The ocean is going to start rising." "Your time to get out of those areas in storm surge inundation is coming to a close. I cannot emphasise that enough." He said that people living near rivers, streams and lowland areas in the region were most at risk.
What's the situation on the ground?
Tropical-storm strength winds and heavy rains have already begun lashing North Carolina's Outer Banks barrier islands. Florence is still 110 miles from the state and is not projected to make landfall until Friday at 08:00 local time (12:00 GMT). The latest weather predictions show the storm slowing to a near standstill as it pummels the coast with "copious amounts of rain" from Thursday night to Saturday, said Mr Long. Parts of the Carolina coast are expecting 20-30 (50-75cm) inches of rain, with isolated regions seeing up to 40in of downpour. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is imposing a 12-hour curfew from 19:00 local time on Thursday. Nearly 1.7 million people have been ordered to evacuate the coastline of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
More than 10 million Americans live in places currently under storm warnings. Petrol stations in the area are reporting shortages and energy companies predict that one to three million homes and businesses may lose power. Over 1,400 flights have been cancelled, according to FlightAware.com, as most of the coastal region's airports are closed to ride out the storm. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper warned people: "Today the threat becomes a reality." Emergency workers are arriving from other parts of the US to aid in rescues. The Coast Guard has shallow water response boats ready to help trapped residents.
Is global warming to blame?
Hurricane Florence: Your guide to the story
13 Sept.`18 - You may have heard about Hurricane Florence, the storm careering towards the US east coast prompting warnings of an impending disaster.
But what makes Florence so different from other storms this year? From Beryl, Chris, and Debby? We've pulled together some of the key elements that explain why officials are so worried, and what damage Florence could cause.
One video to watch
The storm's winds may have weakened in recent days - they are now at 110mph (175km/h) - but there are fears Florence's slow-moving nature could bring different problems. Forecasters say it could slow dramatically when it nears land and then linger until Saturday, moving unpredictably along the coast and bringing torrential rain. Up to 1.7 million people have been ordered to evacuate across South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. A further 10 million people are now under some form of storm watch. So how are these people preparing? We spoke to those braced for Florence's looming arrival.
One striking picture
Hurricane Florence seen off the US east coast in the Atlantic Ocean
This satellite image of Florence hurtling towards the east coast on Wednesday gives a sense of its massive scale. A National Weather Service forecaster has said it will be the "storm of a lifetime" for parts of the Carolina coast. One emergency official said it will be a "Mike Tyson punch" to the area. There will be hurricane-force winds up to 80 miles from the centre of the storm, meteorologists say. Some forecasters have predicted it could be the most powerful storm ever to hit the region.
One big number
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Florence could do more than $170bn (£130bn) of damage and affect nearly 759,000 homes and businesses, says analytics firm CoreLogic. Energy companies have also warned that the storm could knock out power for the foreseeable future in some areas. "This is no ordinary storm, and people could be without power for a very long time - not days but weeks," a president of one energy company in North Carolina said on Wednesday.
One bit of context
Last edited by waltky; 09-13-2018 at 02:40 PM.
This is going to be the mantra of the Democrats after the hurricane has passed. "Trump's Katrina".
The Recovery effort can be the most effective and efficient ever, but the media in collusion with the Democrats will fill the airwaves with tales of misery and suffering. It will be "Trump's Katrina" no matter what.
stjames1_53 (09-13-2018)
Florence turns deadly...
Hurricane Florence: Deadly 'brute' of a storm ravages Carolinas
14 Sept.`18 - Four people have died as Hurricane Florence mauls the US East Coast, knocking out power to 600,000 homes and causing buildings to crumble.
A mother and child were killed when a tree fell on their house in Wilmington, North Carolina. The father was transported to hospital with injuries. Dozens of people were rescued from a collapsing hotel as a huge storm surge toppled trees and swamped streets. Evacuation warnings are in place for 1.7 million people. The third fatality was a Pender County, North Carolina, woman who had a medical condition. She called for emergency assistance, but ambulance workers could not reach her in time because fallen trees blocked their route. In Lenoir County, a person was killed while plugging in a generator, according to the governor's office. Florence made landfall at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, on Friday morning as a category one storm. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper told a news conference that whole communities "could be wiped away" by the 400-mile-wide hurricane. "It's an uninvited brute who doesn't want to leave," he said.
Some residents refuse to evacuate because not all shelters accept pets
The state's transportation secretary, James Trogdon, said it may see flooding that normally only occurs once every 1,000 years. Parts of North Carolina have seen storm surges as high as 10ft (3m). Thousands of miles away a powerful storm has reached the Philippines. More than five million people are in the path of Super Typhoon Mangkhut, officials say. By early afternoon on Friday Florence's winds had weakened to 75mph, and it was expected to gradually weaken further over the weekend. But US officials say it remains extremely dangerous because of potential catastrophic flooding. The North Carolina governor said the hurricane was likely to "continue its violent grind across the state for days" as it crawls along at just 5mph. Forecasters say the storm surge, together with up to 3.5ft (1m) of rain over the next few days, could spawn a slow-motion disaster. By Friday morning, the North Carolina coastal town of Atlantic Beach had already received 30in (76cm) of rain, the US Geological Service said.
Florence is forecast to dump about 18 trillion gallons of rainwater on US soil, most of it in North Carolina, meteorologist Ryan Maue tweeted. Hurricane Harvey last year shed 33 trillion gallons of rainwater in the US. Nearly 620,000 homes and businesses are without power; energy companies say up to three million homes and businesses could lose electricity. Officials have estimated that restoring electricity could take days or even weeks. In Jacksonville, North Carolina, officials rescued more than 60 people overnight from a hotel that was collapsing in the storm. Emergency workers arrived to find the Triangle Motor Inn's structure crumbling, with many guests still in their rooms. As parts of the roof caved in, police had to force their way into some suites amid 75mph winds to reach those inside. All of the occupants, who included children and pets, were safely rescued. Parts of New Bern, North Carolina, which is home to 30,000 people, were 10ft underwater. At least 200 householders in the riverfront city had to be plucked to safety by authorities.
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