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 Heat Shifting East This Week

Record Heat Shifting East This Week

Another November day in the south and another

20 Nov 2025 2:00 AM
More Moisture for the West

More Moisture for the West

WEST - After heavy rain, heavy snow, and stro

20 Nov 2025 2:00 AM
Heavy Rain + Storms Target Texas and the Central U.S.

Heavy Rain + Storms Target Texas and the Central U.S.

WHAT TO EXPECT Temperatures have been hot in

20 Nov 2025 2:00 AM
A Record Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Week Expected

A Record Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Week Expected

It is that time of year again—when millions o

20 Nov 2025 1:20 AM
Four Corners Expecting More Flooding Rain, Mountain Snow

Four Corners Expecting More Flooding Rain, Mountain Snow

A cut-off low-pressure system has been slowly

19 Nov 2025 11:45 PM
Hail Storms Moving Through the Ohio Valley

Hail Storms Moving Through the Ohio Valley

OHIO RIVER VALLEY - We have had multiple repo

19 Nov 2025 2:35 AM
Weekend System Brings Snow, Ice, & Storms to the Northeast

Weekend System Brings Snow, Ice, & Storms to the Northeast

OVERNIGHTWinter weather alerts remain in plac

17 Nov 2025 10:35 AM