FINAL REPORT: NHC Details Hurricane Florence

news image
Special Stories
5 May 2019 3:52 AM
https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1124405559187394561 The National Hurricane Center has issued its complete evaluation of Hurricane Florence in their final Tropical Cyclone Report of 2018's Atlantic Season. Florence peaked at category 4 strength, before making landfall in North Carolina as a category 1 hurricane. However, Florence's true power was evident in the freshwater flooding and storm surge impacts across the southeast. This single storm was responsible for 22 direct deaths and 24 billion dollars in damage. NHC tracked Florence from its beginnings as a tropical wave off of the African coast. The cyclone systematically charged across the Atlantic into early September 2018. Florence went through several cycles of rapid intensification and weakening. Despite reaching peak intensity 725 n mi east-southeast of Cape Fear, NC, cooler sea surface temperatures caused by upwelling allowed it to weaken as it approached land. Florence made landfall as a 80-kt hurricane near Wrightsville Beach, NC on September 14, 2018. The slow forward speed kept heavy rain training over the same areas of the southeastern US. Flooding continued for days after landfall.

Top Stats:

Wind Speed:  150  mph Minimum Central Pressure: 937 millibars Maximum Storm Surge Inundation Heights: 8 to  11 ft above ground level Tornadoes: 44 across 3 states Deaths: 22 direct (15 in NC, 4 in SC,  3 in VA), 30 indirect Rainfall: Impacts outlined in an excerpt form the report:

"The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) estimates that wind and water damage caused by Florence totaled approximately $24 billion. This makes Florence the ninth-most-destructive hurricane to affect the United States. Approximately 1.1 million customers lost power due to Florence’s effects, with 1 million customers having lost power in North Carolina and 100,000 customers experiencing power loss in South Carolina."

 
All Weather News
More
The Severe Storm Risk Continues Across the Southeast

The Severe Storm Risk Continues Across the Southeast

A busy day on Thursday resulted in several re

27 Feb 2026 7:15 PM
Total Lunar Eclipse Visible Across North America Tuesday Morning

Total Lunar Eclipse Visible Across North America Tuesday Morning

A blood moon will soon be gracing (clear) ski

27 Feb 2026 5:30 PM
Another Winter System Targets Midwest and Northeast

Another Winter System Targets Midwest and Northeast

A new round of winter weather is set to aim t

27 Feb 2026 5:30 PM
Fire Burns Through the Florida Everglades, Prompting Road Closures

Fire Burns Through the Florida Everglades, Prompting Road Closures

A fast-moving brush fire is burning across pa

27 Feb 2026 5:20 PM
Spring & Summer Like Temperatures for the Southwest

Spring & Summer Like Temperatures for the Southwest

This week brings some nice days to the southe

27 Feb 2026 5:15 PM
A Clipper Brings Additional Quick Snow to the Northeast

A Clipper Brings Additional Quick Snow to the Northeast

The Northeast has gotten another few inches o

26 Feb 2026 10:35 AM
Elevated Fire Danger Across Southern Plains

Elevated Fire Danger Across Southern Plains

Last week, multiple fires broke out across th

26 Feb 2026 1:45 AM