Hurricane watches upgraded to warnings, new watches issued

The National Hurricane Center provided a complete undated forecast for Hurricane Florence at 5 p.m. Eastern time.

• As of 5 p.m., the eye of Hurricane Florence was located near latitude 27.5 North and longitude 67.1 West, moving west-northwest at 17 mph. It is about 360 miles off the coast of Bermuda and 785 miles from Cape Fear, North Carolina.

• Storm surge and hurricane watches and warnings remain in effect for parts of the U.S. east coast and have been extended to cover considerably more ground.

• Hurricane Florence is still forecasted to slow down as it approaches the coast of North Carolina or South Carolina Thursday and Friday.

• Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 140 mph with higher gusts. Florence is still a category 4 hurricane, and both re-strengthening and additional strengthening are expected to occur over the next day.

• Weakening is expected to occur again Thursday, but Florence is still projected to be a major hurricane through landfall.

• Hurricane force winds currently extend up to 60 miles from the center of the storm, with tropical-storm-force winds extending 175 miles out.

• Florence is expected to produce 15 to 25 inches of accumulated rainfall, with isolated areas of up to 35 inches, in portions of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

A storm surge watch means there is a possibility rising water could move inland from the coastline, creating life-threatening conditions. This watch remains in effect for at least the next 48 hours.

Storm surge watches have been issued for the following areas: Edisto Beach, South Carolina to South Santee River, South Carolina and North of Duck North Carolina to the North Carolina/Virginia border

A hurricane watch is generally issued 48 before the first tropical-storm-force winds are anticipated. It signals to residents that it is time to make outside preparations before doing so becomes dangerous.

Hurricanes watches have been issued for the following areas: Edisto Beach, South Carolina to South Santee River, South Carolina and North of Duck North Carolina to the North Carolina/Virginia border

A storm surge warning is issued when rising water could move inland from the coastline, creating life-threatening conditions during the next 36 hours.

Storm surge warnings have been issued for the following areas: South Santee River, South Carolina to Duck North Carolina and Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, including the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers

A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected and the first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds is anticipated within the next 36 hours.

Hurricane warnings have been issued for the following areas: South Santee River, South Carolina to Duck North Carolina and Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, including the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers

A tropical storm watch is issued when tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

Tropical storm watches have been issued for the following areas: North of the North Carolina/Virginia border to Cape Charles Light, Virginia and Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort 

Complete Hurricane Florence Coverage