Hurricane Florence (31 Aug 2018 – 18 Sept 2018)

Hurricane Florence Path

Hurricane Florence formed in the Atlantic Ocean on August 30, 2018, and quickly grew in size and intensity as it moved towards the southeastern United States. The storm made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, on September 14, 2018.  The storm then moved slowly across the Carolinas. The storm eventually dissipated over the northeastern United States on September 18, 2018, leaving behind a path of destruction and devastation.

Hurricane Florence Category

At its peak intensity, Florence was classified as a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 939 mb. However, the storm weakened as it approached the southeastern United States, with wind speeds dropping to 90 mph (150 km/h) by the time it made landfall.

Damage by Florence

Hurricane caused widespread damage and destruction in the southeastern United States, with communities in North Carolina and South Carolina hit especially hard by the storm. The storm was responsible for at least 53 deaths, with many others injured or displaced from their homes.

The storm caused an estimated $24 billion in damages, with homes and businesses destroyed or severely damaged in the affected areas. The storm’s slow movement across the region also caused catastrophic flooding, with many communities experiencing historic levels of rainfall and flooding.