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
Record-Breaking Heat Builds Out West

Record-Breaking Heat Builds Out West

You may have heard the news but a large heatw

13 Mar 2026 2:30 AM
Destructive Tornadoes, Hail From Multi-Day Severe Outbreak

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail From Multi-Day Severe Outbreak

Severe storms continued into this morning, wi

13 Mar 2026 2:10 AM
Fire Weather Risk for the Plains

Fire Weather Risk for the Plains

A strong ridge of high pressure building over

13 Mar 2026 2:05 AM
Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Top Image Credit: National Parks ServiceSprin

13 Mar 2026 2:00 AM
Significant Severe Weather Threatens Again Wednesday

Significant Severe Weather Threatens Again Wednesday

On the heels of an active opening week to Met

12 Mar 2026 2:30 AM
Old Man Winter Roars in This Week

Old Man Winter Roars in This Week

The relentless weather is going to continue i

12 Mar 2026 2:05 AM
Blizzard Warnings Issued for the Northwest

Blizzard Warnings Issued for the Northwest

NORTHWEST - Blizzard warnings have been issue

11 Mar 2026 11:20 AM