UPDATE: 11:30 p.m. Monday

Hurricane Walaka, a dangerous Category 5 storm, maintained its intensity as it continued on a course toward Johnston Atoll, far southwest of the main Hawaiian islands.

At 11 p.m. Monday, Walaka was 210 miles south of Johnston Island, the largest of the four islands of Johnston Atoll. Walaka had maximum sustained winds of 160 mph and was moving north-northwest at 8 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Hurricane-force winds of 75 mph or more extend out 45 miles from the center while tropical storm-force winds of more than 39 mph extend out 185 miles.

The storm was centered 955 miles west-southwest of Honolulu and is not expected to threaten the main Hawaiian islands.

Johnston Atoll is under a hurricane warning, while Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument — from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals to Maro Reef — is under a hurricane watch.

Walaka is expected to pass just to the west of Johnston Island on Tuesday.

5 p.m.

Massive Hurricane Walaka is expected to pass dangerously close to the tiny Johnston Atoll Tuesday as a Category 5 storm.

At 5 p.m., Walaka had maximum sustained winds of 160 mph and was centered 240 miles south of Johnston Island, the largest of the atoll’s four islands, and about 965 miles southwest of Honolulu. The storm was moving northwest at 7 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

Some strengthening is expected tonight before Walaka starts weakening, forecasters said. Hurricane-force winds extend out 50 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds extend out 185 miles.

Johnston Atoll remains under a hurricane warning, and Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument — from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals to Maro Reef — is now under a hurricane watch. Walaka is expected still be a major hurricane when it reaches the monument, northwest of the main Hawaiian islands, by Wednesday night.

Four members of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biology field crew are working on Johnston Island, a wildlife refuge. A spokeswoman for the Fish and Wildlife Service said the “on-island staff are sheltering in place at a steel and concrete structure built to withstand hurricanes.”

2:25 p.m.

Hurricane Walaka is now a Category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, and is expected to intensify further as it threatens tiny Johnston Atoll, far southwest of Hawaii.

Johnston Atoll is one of the most isolated atolls in the world, located between Hawaii and the Line Islands.

Four members of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biology field crew are working on Johnston Island — one of four islands that make up Johnston Atoll, home to the Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

“In preparation for any possible impacts from Hurricane Walaka, the field biology crew secured the year-round field camp,” Megan Nagel, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Pacific Region, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in an email. “Currently, on-island staff are sheltering in place at a steel and concrete structure built to withstand hurricanes.”

The refuge is within the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument; its boundary includes Johnston Island and extends 12 miles from the shorelines.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said this afternoon that Walaka was centered 265 miles south of Johnston Island and 965 miles southwest of Honolulu, moving west-northwest at 9 mph.

The storm is expected to make a turn to the north and pass just to the west of Johnston Island on Tuesday. Some strengthening is expected through early Tuesday before Walaka starts a gradual weakening trend.

Hurricane-force winds extend out 50 miles from Walaka’s center while tropical storm-force winds extend 185 miles.

Tropical storm-force winds, of more than 39 mph, are expected to reach Johnston Island starting late tonight or early Tuesday, with hurricane conditions expected by Tuesday afternoon, forecasters said. Large surf and heavy rain is also expected to start hitting the island tonight.

The storm is expected to peak Tuesday with 165 mph maximum sustained winds, which would make it the strongest Central Pacific storm since Hurricane Ioke in 2006.

Johnston Island is a U.S. possession located 825 miles southwest of Honolulu. The atoll is a wildlife refuge that was had been used by the U.S. military to store chemical weapons.

Johnston Atoll, which is now under a hurricane warning, has been hit several times by hurricanes, including Ioke in 2006, Dora in 1999 and John in 1994.

Hurricane center forecasters also said that “interests in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (northwest of the main Hawaiian islands) should monitor the progress of Walaka.”

11:50 a.m.

Hurricane Walaka is bearing down on Johnston Atoll as a powerful Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph that are expected to continue strengthening.

By late this morning, the storm was 950 miles southwest of Honolulu and 265 miles south of Johnston Island, moving northwest at 10 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Hawaii.

Johnston Atoll is under a hurricane warning and Walaka is expected to approach the island Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds up to 165 mph.

“A turn toward the north is expected late tonight through Tuesday with a gradual increase in forward speed,” forecasters said late this morning. “On the forecast track, the center of Walaka is expected to pass just to the west of Johnston Island on Tuesday.”

Hurricane-force winds extend out 50 miles from Walaka’s center and tropical storm-force winds extend out up to 160 miles.

“The northeastward track after Tuesday is also expected to take the hurricane across the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument between French Frigate Shoals and Laysan Island on Thursday, and a hurricane watch may be needed for these locations later today or tonight,” forecasters said.

8 a.m.

Now a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Walaka is continuing to strengthen southwest of the Hawaiian islands.

Located about 940 miles southwest of Honolulu and 290 miles south of Johnston Atoll at 8 a.m., Walaka was packing maximum sustained winds of 145 mph and is headed west-northwest at 10 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

A hurricane warning is in effect for Johnston Atoll. A turn toward the northwest is expected to begin later today, followed by a turn toward the north late tonight through Tuesday night with a gradual increase in forward speed, weather officials said.

Rapid intensification is expected to continue today into tonight, with little change in intensity forecast Tuesday and Tuesday night.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.

5 a.m.

Hurricane Walaka continued to strengthen overnight and is now a Category 3 storm southwest of the Hawaiian Islands.

Located about 925 miles southwest of Honolulu and 315 miles south-southeast of Johnston Atoll at 5 a.m., Walaka was packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph and is headed west-northwest at 10 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

A hurricane warning is in effect for Johnston Atoll. A turn toward the northwest is expected to begin later today, followed by a turn toward the north late tonight through Tuesday night with a gradual increase in forward speed, weather officials said.

Rapid intensification is expected to continue today into tonight, with little change in intensity forecast Tuesday and Tuesday night.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.

11:20 p.m Sunday

Hurricane Walaka grew to a powerful Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, and while it poses no threat to the main Hawaiian islands, Johnston Atoll is under a hurricane warning.

As of 11 p.m. Sunday, Walaka was 905 miles southwest of Honolulu and 355 miles south-southeast of Johnston Island, moving west at 12 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 30 miles from the storm’s center while tropical storm-force winds of more than 39 mph extend out up to 125 miles, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu.

Walaka is expected to grow to a major Category 4 hurricane — with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph — by Tuesday, as it moves northward and passes near Johnston Atoll, forecasters said.

The warning for Johnston Atoll calls for tropical storm-force winds late Monday night or early Tuesday, and hurricane conditions by Tuesday afternoon. High surf and heavy rainfall may reach the atoll starting Monday night.

In addition, forecasters warn that “interests in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (northwest of the main Hawaiian islands) should monitor the progress of Walaka.”

By the end of the week, Walaka is expected to weaken to a tropical storm as it moves north over cooler water far from the main Hawaiian islands.

5:20 p.m.

Walaka has strengthened into a hurricane, centered 860 miles southwest of Honolulu but moving away from the islands.

At 5 p.m., the hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and was moving west, further away from the state, at 12 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds of more than 39 mph extend out up to 90 miles.

A turn to the north is expected in the next two days, putting Johnston Atoll in Walaka’s path, prompting a hurricane warning for the tiny northwestern islands.

“A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous,” forecasters with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu said. “Interests in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument should monitor the progress of Walaka.”

Johnston Island can expect tropical storm-force winds starting early Tuesday, and hurricane conditions by Tuesday afternoon. Large surf will reach the Johnston Atoll reefs and shorelines starting Tuesday, forecasters said.

2:30 p.m.

Walaka’s maximum sustained winds continue to strengthen as the tropical storm keeps moving further away from the islands.

As of 2 p.m., Walaka was 845 southwest of Honolulu and had sustained winds of 65 mph as the storm moved west at 18 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

Forecasters expect Walaka to become a hurricane as early as tonight and be a major hurricane Monday through Wednesday when it is projected to be hundreds of miles west of Kauai.

“With the official forecast track bringing the center of Walaka very near Johnston Atoll on Tuesday, a hurricane watch remains in effect there,” forecasters said today.

Walaka is expected to weaken back to a Category 1 hurricane later in the week as it moves north over cooler water.

12:30 p.m.

Walaka remains a tropical storm as it moves on a western track that keeps it well south of Hawaii.

At 11 a.m. today, Walaka was about 810 miles southwest of Honolulu and 410 miles southeast of Johnston Atoll and moving west near 18 mph with sustained winds of 65 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 70 miles from the center.

National Weather Service forecasters based at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu expect the storm to slow and turn nortwest on Monday, followed by a more northernly turn on Tuesday.

Walaka is forecast to become a hurricane later today and continue to rapidly intensify through Monday night. Wind shear will begin to affect the storm starting late Tuesday or Wednesday, and it will begin to weaken by the end of the week.

Johnston Atoll is currently under a hurricane watch.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Tropical Storm Walaka intensified overnight, but remains well southwest of the main Hawaiian Islands.

As of 5 a.m. Sunday, Walaka was located about 770 miles south-southwest of Honolulu and 510 miles southeast of Johnston Atoll, where a hurricane watch is now in effect. The storm is moving west near 16 mph and is expected to continue in that direction through the evening with a decrease in forward speed; maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph, with higher gusts.

Walaka is expected to take a turn toward the northwest on Monday, then make another turn northward on Tuesday, bringing it very close to Johnston Atoll. Tropical-storm-force winds extend 70 miles from the center.

According to the National Weather Service’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu, Walaka is expected to rapidly intensify through Monday night and become a major hurricane. Wind shear will begin to affect the storm starting late Tuesday or Wednesday, and it will begin to weaken by the end of the week.</s>Walaka will not have a direct impact on the islands, but will draw up tropical moisture from the south and increase humidity levels as it passes by to the west. However, the track will bring hurricane conditions to Johnston Atoll, where a hurricane watch is now in effect.</s>MIAMI (AP)  Seymour has become a major Category 3 hurricane in the Pacific, far from Mexico”s coast.

The hurricane”s maximum sustained winds early Tuesday have increased to near 115 mph (185 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center says additional strengthening is expected Tuesday but Seymour is expected to begin weakening Wednesday.

Hurricane Seymour is centered about 565 miles (909 kilometers) south-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico”s Baja California peninsula and is moving west near 15 mph (24 kph).

The hurricane isn”t currently threatening any land.</s>By The Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Officials say Hurricane Lane has been downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane as it approaches Hawaii.

HONOLULU (AP) — Officials say Hurricane Lane has been downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane as it approaches Hawaii.

Copyright © 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.</s>MIAMI -- Far out over the Atlantic, Hurricane Irma has turned into a Category 3 storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory. It poses no immediate threat to land.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph with higher gusts. Irma is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph. This motion is expected to continue today, followed by a westward turn on Saturday, and a west-southwestward motion by Sunday.

Irma formed along a course that could bring it near the eastern Caribbean Sea by early next week. The storm's center was about 650 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands off the west coast of Africa Thursday morning.

Irma is expected to be an extremely dangerous hurricane for the next several days.

Where is Hurricane Irma going to hit?

CBS Dallas / Fort Worth's meteorologist Jeff Jamison says computer models for Irma differ on where the storm makes landfall. Only 10 to 15 percent of hurricanes located where Irma is have struck the United States.

Irma comes on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, which struck the Gulf Coast of Texas on Friday. Thousands have been displaced by the storm due to torrential rain and flooding.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Lidia bore down on the Los Cabos resorts at tip of Baja California Peninsula Thursday, while spreading rains over a broad swath of Mexico.

Mexican authorities warned residents of the lower Baja to prepare for high winds, heavy rain and a dangerous storm surge.

Heavy rain also was reported falling on southwestern Mexico and the hurricane center said Lidia could produce total accumulations of as much as 8 to 12 inches across much of Baja California Sur state and western Jalisco state on the mainland, threatening flash floods and landslides.

Lidia had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph Thursday morning and some strengthening was possible before landfall. Its center was about 90 miles south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas and it was heading north-northwest at 8 mph.</s>Walaka formed southwest of the Hawaiian Islands on Saturday, Sept. 29. At 5 p.m. HST on Sunday, Sept. 30, Walaka strengthened to a hurricane.

The GPM core observatory recently had a couple good looks at tropical storm Walaka as it was intensifying into a powerful hurricane. GPM passed directly over tropical storm Walaka when it was located south of the Hawaiian islands on September 30, 2018 at 8:38 a.m. HST (1838 UTC).

Data collected by GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments showed that Walaka was well organized and very close to hurricane intensity. GPM's Radar (DPR Ku Band) data revealed intense convective storms in a large feeder band that was wrapping around the tropical storm's northeastern side and storms wrapping around a forming eye wall. GPM's DPR found rain falling at a rate of almost 6.5 inches (165 mm) per hour in the intense storms in the feeder band northeast of Walaka's center of circulation.

Walaka had strengthened to hurricane intensity when GPM flew above about twelve hours later at 8:07 p.m. HST (Oct. 1, 2018 at 0607 UTC). Walaka had developed an eye and was undergoing rapid intensification. The intensifying hurricane is passing well to the south of the Hawaiian Islands.

The GPM satellite's Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) data were used to show the structure of precipitation within intensifying tropical storm Walaka. The simulated 3-D view of Walaka, looking from the southwest, showed storm tops of powerful storms wrapping into the center of the tropical storm. A tall convective storm was located in a line northwest of Walaka's center. It was found by DPR to reach heights above 8.5 miles (13.7 km). GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency JAXA.

On Monday, October 1, 2018, NOAA's Central Pacific Hurricane Center or CPHC noted that a Hurricane Warning is in effect for Johnston Atoll. Also, interests in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument should monitor the progress of Walaka.

At 5 p.m. HST/11 p.m. EDT (0300 UTC, Oct. 1) on Sept. 30 or , the center of Hurricane Walaka was located near latitude 11.9 degrees north and longitude 166.4 degrees west. Walaka is moving toward the west near 12 mph (19 kph) and this motion is expected to slow and become northwest on Monday, then north on Tuesday. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 kph) with higher gusts. Rapid intensification is forecast through Tuesday.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) predicts that Hurricane Walaka will continue to strengthen and re-curve to the north later today. Walaka is expected to be a powerful category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale when it passes just to the west of Johnson Atoll in a couple days. Walaka is not expected to have a significant effect on the Hawaiian Islands.</s>Far out over the Atlantic, Hurricane Irma was expected to remain a small but powerful storm throughout the weekend while following a course that could bring it near the eastern Caribbean Sea by early next week.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said late Saturday that the storm is expected to be a "major hurricame" and could cause "dangerous wind, storm surge and rainfall impacts on some islands." It is too soon to specificy where it will hit and what -- if any-- the impact on the continental U.S. and Bahamas will be.

The storm is headed westward with 110 mph winds, the NHC said.

Earilier Saturday, the NHC that the storm "continues to fluctuate in strength but remains a powerful hurricane." In a subsequent advisory, the NHC said Irma was a "small hurricane," with hurricane-force winds extending 25 miles from its center.

Irma has maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, making it a Category 2 storm, the NHC said. Irma had strengthened to a Category 3 on Thursday, with maximum sustained winds near 120 mph.

The storm is now located about 1,135 miles east of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean and moving south of due west at 15 mph. It is expected to slow down and move toward the west-southwest over the next several days, the NHC said.

Forecasters said earlier Saturday that Irma was expected to "remain a powerful hurricane into early next week." No coastal watches or warnings are in effect.

Irma formed on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, which struck the Gulf Coast of Texas Aug. 26. Thousands have been displaced by the storm due to torrential rain and flooding.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Lidia marched up Mexico's Baja California Peninsula on Saturday, dumping more heavy rains on a region where it has already flooded streets and homes, stranded tourists and left at least five people dead.

Lidia's maximum sustained winds dropped to 40 mph, just above the minimum threshold for a tropical storm, as its center passed over a sparsely populated area of the peninsula that is home to a large nature reserve and back out over Pacific waters. It was forecast to lose more strength over the course of the day.

Authorities have said the death toll could rise over the weekend as emergency crews surveyed the damage in villages with ramshackle homes. One person was considered missing and video broadcast on local networks showed vehicles being swept away by flooded rivers.

Baja California Sur Gov. Carlos Mendoza reported that Lidia had dumped about 27 inches of rain, "the largest amount of water we have had since 1933."

The dead included two people electrocuted by power lines, a woman drowned after being swept away by water on a flooded street and a baby was ripped from its mother's arms as she crossed a flooded area. Mendoza said late Friday that there was a fifth victim but did not give details.

State Tourism Secretary Luis Genero Ruiz said about 20,000 foreign tourists were stranded after airlines suspended flights to the area.

About 1,400 people had sought refuge at storm shelters as the storm flooded streets and stranded tourists.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Lidia made landfall early Friday west of La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur state.

Lidia's wind strength had eased to 45 mph Saturday morning, and further weakening was forecast. The center said Lidia was expected to become a remnant low pressure system by Sunday.

The storm was centered about 50 miles east of Punta Eugenia on Saturday morning and was heading northwest at about 12 mph.

Lidia earlier spread rains over a broad swath of Mexico including the capital, where it was blamed for flooding that briefly closed the city's airport this week.</s>By The Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) — Florence has been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane and is likely to cause “life-threatening” surf and rip current conditions in Bermuda later this week. The National Hurricane Center said the storm’s…

MIAMI (AP) — Florence has been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane and is likely to cause “life-threatening” surf and rip current conditions in Bermuda later this week.

The National Hurricane Center said the storm’s maximum sustained winds Wednesday afternoon are estimated to be 130 mph (215 kph).

Hurricane Florence is centered about 1,295 miles (2,080 kilometers) east-southeast of Bermuda and is moving northwest at 13 mph (20 kph).

Forecasters expect Florence to weaken somewhat over the next few days, but they anticipate it will still be a powerful hurricane through early next week.

Officials say swells caused by Florence will begin to affect Bermuda on Friday.

There are no coastal watches or warnings currently in place.

Copyright © 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.</s>Hurricane Florence may have little impact on the D.C. area — for now. Still, Florence is expected to strengthen Wednesday night and the National Hurricane Center says hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.

WASHINGTON — Hurricane Florence is now a Category 2 storm, with maximum sustained winds at around 110 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in an update at 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Though the hurricane has weakened somewhat, the center continues to warn of serious storm surge and rainfall threats for much of the southeast and parts of the mid-Atlantic regions.

The storm could dump 20–30 inches of rain along the Carolina coast and up to a foot inland, but the D.C. area itself may only see remnants of the hurricane next week.

Earlier, Florence was already downgraded to Category 3 with winds of 120 mph. Its hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles, and its tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles.

“While Florence has weakened below major hurricane intensity, the wind field of the hurricane continues to grow in size. This evolution will produce storm surges similar to that of a more intense, but smaller, hurricane, and thus the storm surge values seen in the previous advisory are still valid,” the center said Wednesday night.

“The threat of rainfall has also not diminished, and these impacts will cover a large area regardless of exactly where the center of Florence moves.”

In terms of speed, it is expected to slow down considerably by late Thursday and Friday and move through early Saturday, according to the center.

Though the hurricane’s path is heading toward the Carolinas, the storm’s effects may change as it further evolves.

Where is Florence and when will it fall?

For the most recent official information on Florence, consult the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center and your local authorities.

At 11 p.m. Wednesday, Florence was 280 miles southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina, moving northwest at 17 mph.

That motion, as well as a decrease in speed, is expected through Saturday. Its center will approach the hurricane warning area on Thursday and Friday, then move slowly near the coastline Saturday.

The projected track had Florence hovering off the southern North Carolina coast from Thursday night until landfall Saturday morning or so, about a day later than previously expected. The track also shifted somewhat south and west, throwing Georgia into peril as Florence moves inland.

Florence’s expected slowdown means a prolonged period near the coast, said Joel Cline with the National Hurricane Center. It could then head west and southwest.

The impact on DC, Maryland and Virginia

The D.C. area will feel considerably less of an impact from Florence, according to current projections. Rainfall forecasts through Wednesday are around 1–2 inches. The worst of Florence’s winds will probably stick well to the region’s south.

The region probably won’t get rain until Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, Storm Team 4 meteorologist Chuck Bell said. Keep in mind, however, that the forecast is still subject to change.

Additional rainfall still raises serious concern around the D.C. area, which is already water-logged.

D.C., Maryland and Virginia are each under states of emergency. And, Cline doesn’t believe Florence will leave the region unscathed.

“It could get caught up in a funnel system and bring rain later in the week,” he said.

The southern portion of the Virginia coast — from the North Carolina border to Cape Charles Light — is under a tropical storm watch. Some portions of Virginia could get around 6 inches of rainfall.

During a news conference Wednesday, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced that 59 local shelters were open across Virginia, and that two commonwealth-managed facilities would be opened — one at Christopher Newport University in Newport News and the other at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg.

“Even if you’re not on the coast, this storm will effect you,” said Northam, who also urged residents to get prepared if they’re not already.

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner urged FEMA Administrator Brock Long to expedite disaster-relief efforts to the commonwealth, which is under a state of emergency.

“Hurricane Florence is expected to cause serious flash flooding, mudslides, and river flooding in parts of Virginia that do not have a history of flooding and have already received large amounts of rainfall this year,” Warner wrote. “These areas may not have the resources available to immediately respond to large scale flooding.”

These severe conditions, of course, will impact air travel, too.
• Have at least three days of food, water and medicines on hand
• Sign up for alerts and apps
• Maryland Prepares mobile app, with real-time local information, is available for both Android and iOS phones.
• Virginia residents can sign up for state-issued emergency email alerts.
• D.C. residents can sign up for city alerts.

As of Tuesday, about 1.7 million people in North and South Carolina and Virginia were under warnings to evacuate the coast, and hurricane watches and warnings extended across an area with about 5.4 million residents.

The heavy rainfall projected for parts of North Carolina would produce a catastrophic flash flooding and significant river flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center. Isolated areas could get 40 inches. The volume of rain could cause an environmental disaster, too, if the water inundates the region’s many industrial waste sites and hog manure ponds.

The impact is expected to be similar to that of Hurricane Harvey on the Houston area last year, said Dennis Feltgen of the National Hurricane Center.

“Damaging hurricane-force winds are likely along portions of the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina,” the National Hurricane Center said. “Damaging winds could also spread well inland into portions of the Carolinas and Virginia.”

WTOP’s Teta Alim, Rick Massimo and Kate Ryan contributed to this report. The Associated Press also contributed to this report.

Like WTOP on Facebook and follow @WTOP on Twitter to engage in conversation about this article and others.

© 2018 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.</s>"It is often a last-minute consideration," says Celene Albano with the Hurricane Pet Rescue non-profit. "So people take their pets without the right supplies or adequate plans which then creates big problems wherever they go. Or they abandon their animals which is even worse."

By Christopher Dawson, CNN

 Many of the people facing mandatory evacuations from the path of Hurricane Florence are agonizing about what to do for their pets.

“It is often a last-minute consideration,” says Celene Albano with the Hurricane Pet Rescue non-profit. “So people take their pets without the right supplies or adequate plans which then creates big problems wherever they go. Or they abandon their animals which is even worse.”

Here are specific steps to consider to safely evacuate with your pets.

Check in with your vet: The veterinarian should be able to get you copies of your pet’s records and proof of vaccinations. If your pet takes medication, make sure to get a two to three week supply. Check with your vet about enrolling your pet in a recovery database and getting your pet microchipped. Even if they have a microchip, your pet should also have a collar with a rabies vaccination tag and an ID tag that includes your cell phone number.

Put together a pet emergency kit: The North Carolina department of Public Safety provides a detailed list that calls for three to seven days of canned/dry food, enough water for a week, leashes, collars, muzzles and a sturdy carrier for each pet. Also include pictures of you and your pet together to help establish ownership and identity if you and your pet become separated. FEMA’s emergency pet guide also suggests you pack familiar items such as favorite toys and bedding to help reduce stress for your pet.

Where to go

Seek out a pet-friendly boarding place: Many evacuation shelters will not take pets. BringFido has compiled a detailed list of pet-friendly shelters in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Clemson University is maintaining an emergency preparedness page for South Carolina with shelter links and a list of stables and boarding facilities by county. Affiliate WTKR has a list of pet-friendly shelters in Virginia, and affiliate WNCN has compiled a list by county of North Carolina shelters accepting pets.

Consider places that’ll take you and your pet: Hotels are not required to accept pets during hurricane evacuations. However websites like BringFido.com, GoPetFriendly.com and PetsWelcome.com can help you find a place that will take both you and your pets.

Don’t confine them: For owners who have to leave pets behind, don’t confine them to a room or crate, or tie them up. They need easy access to move around and a way to get to high places. Leave plenty of food and water and write on the outside of the house that there are pets inside. Celene Albano and her group Hurricane Pet Rescue has a list of instructions that can be found here — at the end of her long list of ways to evacuate with your pets.

Don’t abandon them: Unfortunately, a lot of small pets are abandoned. During Hurricane Harvey, these were the phone calls that were the hardest for Albano. “Hundreds of people would call and tell us that if we could not take them, that they were leaving their pets. Pets are family, and I couldn’t believe it. That is just wrong.”

Make it easy for them to ride out the storm: Livestock and large animals like horses might not be able to evacuate. This link has preparation guides that can help them make it through the storm.

This content was republished with permission from CNN.
Hurricane Walaka becomes a category 5 hurricane. It is expected to hit the Johnston Atoll.