WILMINGTON, N.C. — Motorists streamed inland on highways converted to one-way evacuation routes Tuesday as about 1.7 million people in three states were warned to get out of the way of Hurricane Florence. The hair-raising storm is taking dead aim at the Carolinas with 140 mph winds and potentially ruinous rains. Florence was expected to blow ashore late Thursday or early Friday, then slow down and wring itself out for days, unloading 1 to 2½ feet of rain that could cause flooding well inland and wreak environmental havoc by washing over industrial waste sites and hog farms. Forecasters and politicians pleaded with the public to take the warnings seriously and minced no words in describing the threat. "This storm is a monster. It's big and it's vicious. It is an extremely, dangerous, life-threatening, historic hurricane," North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said. "The waves and the wind this storm may bring is nothing like you've ever seen. Even if you've ridden out storms before, this one is different. Don't bet your life on riding out a monster." Florence was centered 785 miles southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina, moving west-northwest at 17 mph, the center said in its 5 p.m. advisory. Warnings have been issued from South Santee River, South Carolina, to Duck, North Carolina, and the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. A tropical storm watch has been issued from north of the North Carolina-Virginia border to Cape Charles Light, Virginia, and for the Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort. Some hoped for divine intervention. "I'm prayed up and as ready as I can get," Steven Hendrick said as he filled up gasoline cans near Conway, South Carolina. President Trump declared states of emergency for North and South Carolina and Virginia, opening the way for federal aid. He said the federal government is "absolutely, totally prepared" for Florence. All three states ordered mass evacuations along the coast. But getting out of harm's way could prove difficult. Florence is so wide that a life-threatening storm surge was being pushed 300 miles ahead of its eye, and so wet that a swath from South Carolina to Ohio and Pennsylvania could get deluged. People across the region rushed to buy bottled water and other supplies, board up their homes, pull their boats out of the water and get out of town. A line of heavy traffic moved away from the coast on Interstate 40, the main route between the port city of Wilmington and inland Raleigh. Between the two cities, about two hours apart, the traffic flowed smoothly in places and became gridlocked in others because of fender-benders. Only a trickle of vehicles was going in the opposite direction, including pickup trucks carrying plywood and other building materials. Long lines formed at service stations, and some started running out of gas as far west as Raleigh, with bright yellow bags, signs or rags placed over the pumps to show they were out of order. Some store shelves were picked clean. "There's no water. There's no juices. There's no canned goods," Kristin Harrington said as she shopped at a Walmart in Wilmington. Florence is the most dangerous of three tropical systems in the Atlantic. Tropical Storm Isaac was east of the Lesser Antilles and expected to pass south of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and Cuba, while Hurricane Helene was moving northward away from land. Forecasters also were tracking two other disturbances. The coastal surge from Florence could leave the eastern tip of North Carolina under more than 9 feet of water in spots, projections showed. "This one really scares me," National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham said. Federal officials begged residents to put together emergency kits and have a plan on where to go. "This storm is going to knock out power days into weeks. It's going to destroy infrastructure. It's going to destroy homes," said Jeff Byard, an official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Forecasters said parts of North Carolina could get 20 inches of rain, if not more, with as much as 10 inches elsewhere in the state and in Virginia, parts of Maryland and Washington, D.C. One trusted computer model, the European simulation, predicted more than 45 inches in parts of North Carolina. A year ago, people would have laughed off such a forecast, but the European model was accurate in predicting 60 inches for Hurricane Harvey in the Houston area, so "you start to wonder what these models know that we don't," University of Miami hurricane expert Brian McNoldy said. Florence's projected path includes half a dozen nuclear power plants, pits holding coal-ash and other industrial waste, and numerous hog farms that store animal waste in huge lagoons. Duke Energy spokesman Ryan Mosier said operators would begin shutting down nuclear plants at least two hours before hurricane-force winds arrive. North Carolina's governor issued what he called a first-of-its-kind mandatory evacuation order for North Carolina's fragile barrier islands from one end of the coast to the other. Typically, local governments in North Carolina make the call on evacuations. "We've seen nor'easters and we've seen hurricanes before," Cooper said, "but this one is different."<doc-sep>President Trump weighed in as well, tweeting: “The Storms in the Atlantic are very dangerous. We encourage anyone in the path of these storms to prepare themselves and to heed the warnings of State and Local officials. The Federal Government is closely monitoring and ready to assist. We are with you!” He also tweeted photos of himself meeting with homeland security and FEMA officials.<doc-sep>WILMINGTON, N.C. — Hurricane Florence is a "storm of a lifetime" bearing down for a direct hit on the coast. But not everyone is fleeing as the storm approaches. Among those who are staying put despite evacuation orders to over 1 million people throughout the Carolinas and Virginia is Jon Wright, a retired firefighter from New York who lives here now. He plans to board up his windows, hunker down and ride out the Category 4 storm. “I’m not going to panic. I was a firefighter for 42 years. I believe in preparation,” Wright said. “It is what it is. We live in a wonderful place but that’s the cost of living here.” He said he already has wooden boards cut to the right sizes and said the task should only take him about 30 minutes. The 63-year-old said he lives “right smack in the middle” of Cape Fear River but is prepared with pre-cooked meals, water, a rain barrel and other essentials. There have been dire warnings from local, state and federal officials about the ferociousness of Florence. Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune warned that "No life is worth taking a risk." Keep pets safe:Have pets with you during and after Hurricane Florence More:Three reasons why Hurricane Florence is such a danger Florence is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 15 to 20 inches in some areas and possibly 30 inches in isolated locations along the storm's track, hurricane officials say. But plenty of people won't evacuate. “I’m not worried. I’m just hanging in there. What can I do? I think it would be more trouble to leave," said Jeremy Tominack, 40, who along with his wife and children, were enjoying the waves at Wrightsville Beach Tuesday afternoon. They planned to part ways by early Wednesday when his wife and children will go to stay with his mother-in-law while he remains in Wilmington to ride out the storm. He said he can be more helpful if he stays put while knowing his family is safely away from the coast. “I’m going to get these children off to their mom-in-laws. I’m staying put and post-hurricane we’ll be looking to help some people,” Tominack said. “I’m going to check on my house and make sure everything is good there then break out the old chainsaw and go help some folks.” State-by-state forecast:See how Hurricane Florence could impact where you live Under partly sunny skies in North Myrtle Beach Tuesday morning, there was a mixed response to Gov. Henry McMaster's evacuation order. Some residents boarded up windows, packed their cars and prepared to leave Tuesday or Wednesday morning, saying they were anxious about the uncertain path of the storm. Others, including some residents of Seabrook Plantation, said they planned to ride it out, All said they rode out Hurricane Matthew fine and the storm was passing far enough north. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper warned residents to heed the evacuation orders. “They’re risking their lives when they stay,” Cooper said, adding that first responders who are staying may not even be able to get to those on the Barrier Islands right away. “There may be no way for them to get to them for some time.” Defiance of evacuation orders is nothing new. In January, 17 people were killed in flash flooding and mudslides in Southern California, some of whom didn't heed voluntary evacuation orders. One woman whose parents were killed told the Chicago Tribune they decided against evacuating their "forever home." Six months later, the Carr Fire in northern California near Redding killed six people, with law enforcement authorities blaming one death on the failure to heed evacuation orders, CBS News reported. By Tuesday afternoon, Wrightsville Beach appeared to be an ordinary day. Some families walked along the shore. Others were in the water surfing. The hurricane’s impending landfall, however, was on their minds. “If you’re not feeling 100 percent safe, you should go. If you have any doubts in your mind you should get out of here,” said Lewis Moisan, 35, of Wilmington, who spent the day surfing. He said he planned to come back to the water Wednesday to surf again before deciding whether he and his girlfriend will leave the city. “I think a lot of people might just be staying for the excitement. That’s not the right reason,” he said. “I live up high in a high apartment and have a lot of supplies. We’re going to make the call, I’m just undecided. If we feel unsafe, if my girlfriend feels unsafe, then we’re out of here.” David Fries, was one of several residents of Tillman Estates in North Myrtle Beach to say he was staying, though his wife and mother-in-law were leaving. “I have a fortress of a home,” he said. “I feel very comfortable. I made it through hurricane Mathew very effectively. I think being on the south side of the storm, we’ll be okay.” He said a tornado came within 500 yards of his house during Matthew and took out 700 trees including a massive live oak near his house. “So many of the trees that could have been uprooted have already been uprooted,” he said. Redix, a southern outfitters store that has been around since 1969, had boards covering up windows to its Wrightsville Beach storefront. Workers were putting up their final boards Tuesday afternoon, with only the door remaining open. Staff there planned to be around for customers Wednesday morning, but will board up the door later in the day to close until the storm passes. A visual primer:The forecasted path and predicted impacts of Florence, in graphs Their boards were decorated with spray-painted names and dates of hurricanes that has passed through the area since the 1990s. The new paint in red states “No Flo ’18” for Hurricane Florence. They’ve used the same boards through the years, said store owner Gordon Reddicks. “With the type of storm coming now, it’s probably one of the worst we’ve ever had. Of course, Fran was pretty bad also.<doc-sep>At a Glance As the likelihood of a strike from Hurricane Florence increases, authorities are making preparations. Hatteras Island, North Carolina, will be under a mandatory evacuation starting Monday afternoon. Governors in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia declared states of emergency. Customers flocked to supermarkets and home improvement stores to stock up on supplies. As Hurricane Florence's threat to the Carolinas and Virginia became clearer, authorities and residents ramped up storm preparations Monday – including the first mandatory evacuations. Along North Carolina's Outer Banks, all residents and visitors on Hatteras Island were ordered to evacuate starting at noon Monday, according to Dare County Emergency Management. South of Hatteras Island, all visitors on Ocracoke Island were ordered to evacuate starting at noon Monday, Hyde County officials announced. Other evacuations along the Outer Banks will go into effect on Tuesday, and to the south, Brunswick County, North Carolina, residents who live in flood-prone areas will be required to evacuate starting Tuesday morning. "I highly encourage people to move out of the county," Brunswick County Emergency Management Director Brian Watts told reporters. "The best thing to do is to get out of the county." (MORE: Florence Could Pose a Serious Danger to U.S. East Coast) Many residents in the Carolinas and Virginia seemed to be taking the warning seriously. Customers descended in droves on supermarkets and home improvement stores to stock up on supplies for the hurricane. Ryan Deeck, grocery department manager at the Walmart off Seaboard Street in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, told the Sun News, "Literally, they are filling buggies full of water, shopping carts full of water. They’re coming in and buying water and plates and that’s about all they’re buying. They’re buying six and seven of everything." Gretchen Sankovich, an operations manager at Home Depot in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, said, "We’re out of generators, out of gas cans, almost out of water. Plywood and particle board are flying off the shelves." Many others posted photos on social media of shelves that had been emptied of bottled water and bread. The governors of North and South Carolina and Virginia have declared states of emergency to free up resources to prepare for, and respond to, the impacts of Florence. President Donald Trump will not make a scheduled campaign trip to Mississippi on Friday and will instead monitor the storm, according to Bloomberg. North Carolina – Locate Evacuation Route In a Monday morning press briefing, Gov. Roy Cooper said some 200 National Guard members have been activated, with many more available, and a formal request for a disaster declaration from Trump had been filed. "The best safety plan is preparation and common sense," said Cooper. "We still have a couple of days to get ready, so let’s use that time." A mandatory evacuation is in place for the UNC Wilmington campus, and all students must be off campus by noon Tuesday. East Carolina University said all classes for the rest of the week will be canceled starting at noon Tuesday. "There’s going to be a lot of water where we don’t want it," NWS-Wilmington meteorologist Steve Pfaff told the News and Observer. (MORE: 11 Emergency Hurricane Supplies You Can't Forget) The North Carolina Division of Transportation’s Ferry Division announced that ferries from Hatteras and Ocracoke islands were canceled on Sunday “due to preparation for possible severe weather.” NWS Wilmington officials said there were more than a dozen rip current rescues in Wrightsville Beach on Saturday. North Carolina Emergency Management experts worked to determine where to place resources ahead of the storm. Advertisement Department of Transportation employees were preparing hurricane response equipment, such as bulldozers, motor graders and chainsaws and topping off fuel sites, according to a news release. They were also contacting local contractors and equipment providers to make sure resources are available to assist if needed. Cooper said emergency management officials were working with local and federal officials to prepare for "possible impacts." "We are entering the peak of hurricane season, and we know well the unpredictability and power of these storms," Cooper said. Along the coast, Camp Lejeune said in a statement obtained by the AP that preparations are underway and special shelters will be opened on the base if needed. Northwest of Fayetteville, Fort Bragg is serving as a staging area for emergency supplies that'll be needed in the aftermath of the storm, the Fayetteville Observer reported. In the western North Carolina town of Tryon, some 400,000 people are expected to attend the World Equestrian Games starting Tuesday, according to the Asheville Citizen Times. The event runs for nearly two weeks, and no plans have been announced yet to alter the schedule because of the hurricane. South Carolina – Locate Evacuation Zone As residents went out to purchase supplies, Gov. Henry McMaster announced, "A hurricane is coming our way. Pretend, assume, presume that a major hurricane is going to hit South Carolina. Be prepared. Be ready." "Whatever happens, we’re going to have a lot of rain and a lot of wind, even if the hurricane goes farther north," McMaster added. McMaster has asked Trump for a federal emergency declaration in anticipation of the possible impacts of Florence, the Charleston Post and Courier reported. The governor is requesting the availability of federal resources should the storm make landfall in South Carolina. The governor said he doesn't know when evacuation orders might be ordered this week because the storm’s models are still developing. FEMA officials will be heading to South Carolina on Monday, state leaders announced. Key local and state agencies have been notified to be ready to respond if the need arises, a press release noted. In Myrtle Beach, a $34 million beach renourishment project has been paused until the storm passes, according to WBTW.com. Coastal Carolina University will hold classes Monday but will cancel classes and might ask students to evacuate Tuesday and beyond, the State also reported. Virginia – Locate Evacuation Zone Virginia Gov.<doc-sep>
HOLDEN BEACH, N.C. (Reuters) - More than 1 million people along the Carolina coast fled toward higher ground on Monday in a mass evacuation ordered three days before the expected arrival of Hurricane Florence, a Category 4 storm and the most powerful to menace the region in nearly three decades. With maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour (220 kph), Florence was due to grow even stronger before making landfall on Thursday, mostly likely in southeastern North Carolina near the South Carolina border, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Authorities also warned of life-threatening coastal storm surges and the potential for Florence to unleash prolonged torrential rains and widespread flooding across several states, especially if it lingers inland for several days. “Florence is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday,” the NHC said in its latest bulletin. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper told a news conference his state was in “the bull’s eye.” Cooper and his counterparts in South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland all declared states of emergency. Mindful of devastation wrought by a string of deadly U.S. hurricanes last year, jittery residents in the Carolinas began the rituals of disaster preparation - boarding up windows and stocking up on groceries, water and gasoline. Classified as a Category 4 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane strength, Florence stood as the most severe storm to threaten the U.S. mainland this year and the first of its magnitude to take aim at the Carolinas since 1989, when Hurricane Hugo barreled over Charleston, South Carolina. As a precaution against Florence, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered an estimated 1 million coastal residents in his state to move inland. Mandatory evacuation orders also were issued for more than 50,000 people from Hatteras and Ocracoke, the southernmost of North Carolina’s Outer Banks barrier islands. At least 250,000 more were due to be evacuated from the northern Outer Banks on Tuesday, along with some coastal Virginia residents. Emergency management officials reported waves already starting to crash over Hatteras Island’s main highway where dunes were breached by heavy surf, slowing traffic to a crawl. “Traffic was backed up for about 9 miles (14 km) in places,” said Paul Jones, a retiree who owns a home on the island. U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration was criticized as being slow to respond to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico last year, canceled a political rally planned for Friday in Jackson, Mississippi, over safety concerns related to Florence, his campaign said. Trump said in a Twitter message he has spoken to the governors of North and South Carolina and Virginia, adding: “Federal government stands by, ready to assist.” Slideshow ( 8 images ) ‘GETTING FRANTIC’ In Holden Beach, North Carolina, in the storm’s path, longtime residents were busy securing their homes and possessions. “It’s scary to all of us. We know we can’t play around with this,” said Jennifer Oosterwyk, who owns the Sugar Britches boutique on Holden Beach and lives in nearby Wilmington. Slideshow ( 8 images ) A BP service station and mini-mart in Wilmington ran out of gasoline for about two hours on Monday as motorists rushed to fill up their tanks. “People are getting frantic,” assistant manager Nadine Schrock said, adding her shop also sold out of cases of bottled water. Classes were canceled starting on Monday at the Wilmington campus of the University of North Carolina. The U.S. military said it was sending an advance team to Raleigh, North Carolina, to coordinate with state and local authorities. It said about 750 military personnel would be designated to provide support. The U.S. Navy said it was sending nearly 30 ships from coastal Virginia out of port to ride out the storm. Other military personnel, however, could find themselves directly in harm’s way. The largest U.S. Marine Corps base on the East Coast, Camp Lejeune and its extensive beachfront northeast of Wilmington, North Carolina, lie within the NHC’s forecast “cone” for possible landfall. Coastal properties were especially vulnerable to possible flooding from the hurricane’s storm surge, which according to the California-based risk assessment service CoreLogic, will put more than 758,000 homes in the Carolinas and Virginia at risk. NHC Director Ken Graham also warned of “staggering” amounts of rainfall that may extend hundreds of miles inland and cause flash flooding across the mid-Atlantic region. Forecasts call for 10 to 15 inches (25-38 cm) of rain in the hardest-hit areas, possibly more if the storm stalls over land, as expected, Graham said.