Hurricane Florence: How to prepare for the "monster" storm
Hurricane Florence is expected to pummel the East Coast later this week with catastrophic flooding and damaging winds, most likely taking direct aim at the Carolinas up through Virginia. With mandatory evacuations already issued for parts of three states, millions of Americans are preparing for what could become one of the most damaging hurricanes to hit the Eastern Seaboard in decades.
Link to tweet
Florence could be the strongest storm to hit North Carolina since Hazel in 1954, which packed winds of 130 mph (209 kph). That Category 4 storm destroyed 15,000 buildings and killed 19 people in North Carolina. In the six decades since then, many thousands more people have moved to the coast.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper warned in a news conference Tuesday that Florence could be a once-in-a-lifetime type of storm.
"This is storm is a monster," Cooper said. "Even if you've ridden out storms before, this one is different. Don't bet your life on riding out a monster."
Link to tweet
The massive storm is forecast to make landfall along a stretch of coastline already saturated by rising seas and then meander Thursday, Friday and Saturday, inundating several states with life-threatening floods. Seven-day rainfall totals are forecast to reach 10 to 20 inches over much of North Carolina and Virginia, and even 30 inches in some places.
Mandatory evacuations have already been ordered for North Carolina's Outer Banks and low-lying coastal areas of South Carolina and Virginia.
CBS News rounded up some emergency preparedness tips for people and pets as well as a supplies checklist before Hurricane Florence arrives.
Much more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-florence-north-carolina-south-supplies-checklist-pets-tips/?ftag=MSFd61514f
= new reply since forum marked as read
They're still talking evacuations and saying it could be the strongest in decades. And it's likely to stall over Wilmington for 24 hours. I also have family in the region, a cousin in Hilton Head and another in Virginia. They're saying it may even affect Georgia on its way out. We are still at the mercy of the weather which is scary as hell.
I'm in New York and we had a devastating hurricane in 2011, Hurricane Irene. Sandy got the publicity, but it was Irene that got us. This past winter was brutal too, record low temperatures all over and nor'easters through March. Anyone who doesn't recognize the weather extremes we're experiencing is in serious denial. 
Even if it's downgraded to a category 2 because of the storm surge. And any news that on is reporting about little else. Good that you're getting prepared, at least you aren't on the coast, but this is one gigantic storm! Please stay safe and check in when you can! 