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
Cold Blast Prompts Frost and Freeze Alerts

Cold Blast Prompts Frost and Freeze Alerts

WHAT TO EXPECTA blast of cold air has brought

21 Apr 2026 2:00 AM
Active Week Ahead for the West Coast

Active Week Ahead for the West Coast

CALIFORNIA - Rain has begun in California and

21 Apr 2026 1:55 AM
Severe Thunderstorms Ramp Back Up This Week

Severe Thunderstorms Ramp Back Up This Week

While the severe thunderstorm risk ends with

21 Apr 2026 1:40 AM
Extreme Drought Leads To Fire Concerns Across The Nation

Extreme Drought Leads To Fire Concerns Across The Nation

SOUTHEASTOver 96% of the Southeast is in mode

21 Apr 2026 1:20 AM
Record Snow, Record Rain, Rising Rivers

Record Snow, Record Rain, Rising Rivers

Flooding turned serious over the last week ac

20 Apr 2026 4:20 PM
Looking Back at Last Week's Severe Weather Outbreak

Looking Back at Last Week's Severe Weather Outbreak

Tornadoes, hail, wind, and rain slammed the M

20 Apr 2026 4:10 PM
Last Day of East Coast Record Heat, Big Cool Down on the Way

Last Day of East Coast Record Heat, Big Cool Down on the Way

High pressure has been dominant on the East C

19 Apr 2026 1:20 AM