24 Sep 2018 | 05:52 AM UTC
US: Officials warn of additional flooding in Carolinas Sep. 23 /update 10
Authorities warn residents in North and South Carolina on September 23 that further flooding and evacuations are possible in coming days; some road closures lifted
Event
Officials in North and South Carolina warned residents on Sunday, September 23, that additional flooding related to the passage of Hurricane Florence is possible in the coming days. Around 6000-8000 people in Georgetown county (South Carolina) near the Pee Dee and Waccamaw rivers have been told to be ready to evacuate as soon as Monday, September 24. Authorities in North Carolina reported that five river gauges are still at major flood stage as of Sunday. Flooding continues in areas along the Black, Lumber, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers. However, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced on September 23 that Interstate 95 has reopened to all traffic as floodwaters withdrew faster than anticipated. Some parts of Interstate 40 remain closed and may remain underwater for at least another week.
Recovery efforts are ongoing in the Carolinas. Officials confirmed that at least 44 people were killed by the hurricane as of Sunday. There are also concerns that coal ash may contaminate floodwaters near Wilmington (North Carolina) after a dam was breached at the cooling lake for a natural gas plant on Friday, September 21. The power plant has been shut down and state environmental officials are monitoring the waters.
Context
Florence hit southern North Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane on the morning of Friday, September 14, bringing winds of up to 144 km/h (90 mph), up to 91 cm (35.9 in) of rain in some places, and storm surges as high as 3 m (10 ft). The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the largest concentration of storms typically occurring between August and October.
Advice
Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate heavy flooding and transportation, logistics, and power disruptions, monitor road closure reports, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater and chemical products; all items having come into contact with floodwater should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.
