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
Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Threaten Millions Across the Plains This Weekend

Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Threaten Millions Across the Plains This Weekend

Millions of people across the Plains are prep

6 Jun 2026 2:43 PM
Brief Summer Warmup in the Northeast Before Weekend Rain

Brief Summer Warmup in the Northeast Before Weekend Rain

Above average temperatures are in place for p

6 Jun 2026 2:00 PM
Two Disturbances in the Eastern Pacific Have a Chance of Developing

Two Disturbances in the Eastern Pacific Have a Chance of Developing

It's Hurricane Prep Week on WeatherNation for

6 Jun 2026 1:30 PM
Tropical Moisture Brings Increased Flood Risk to the Gulf Coast This Weekend

Tropical Moisture Brings Increased Flood Risk to the Gulf Coast This Weekend

The start of hurricane season is bringing an

6 Jun 2026 1:25 PM
Severe Storms Target the Midwest Overnight

Severe Storms Target the Midwest Overnight

Strong storms have been surging across the Pl

6 Jun 2026 2:20 AM
Hurricane Prep Week 2026

Hurricane Prep Week 2026

HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE!The Atlantic Hurrica

6 Jun 2026 1:00 AM
X-Class Flare Could Spawn Aurora Thursday Night

X-Class Flare Could Spawn Aurora Thursday Night

Charge your camera batteries! Aurora Borealis

5 Jun 2026 2:15 AM