1.5 Million Evacuate as Florence Bears Down on Carolina Coast

Meteorologists are already predicting that Hurricane Florence will be one of the most devastating storms to ever hit landfall in the United States.

According to Accuweather.com, states of emergency have already been declared in North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. Florence is currently a Category 4 hurricane, but has the potential to turn into a Category 5 when it hits the Carolina coast Friday morning.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a triple threat warning for the Carolinas and Virginia.

1. A "life-threatening storm surge."
2.  "Life-threatening freshwater flooding from a prolonged and exceptionally heavy rainfall event."
3. "Damaging hurricane force winds" at the coast and some distance inland.

1.5 million people are attempting to evacuate all roads out of Carolina coastal towns which are jam packed. Accuweather is estimating that the financial toll for the storm could reach $30 billion. 

Meteorologists are all pointing to the inland rainfall and flooding causing the most widespread devastation. The American Red Cross is already in full damage control mode preparing evacuation centers while getting ready to step in to provide aid for up to 100,000 people affected by this unprecedented storm.

How can we all help out here in Connecticut and New York? The Red Cross depends on donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. You can even designate your donation to Hurricane Florence relief efforts when choosing that option when you donate on redcross.org.   

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