Hurricane Florence: Residents evacuate as disaster at 'doorstep' top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Mandatory evacuations now affect more than one million people in nearby North and South Carolina ahead of the tropical storm’s arrival on Thursday. Maryland declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, following the Carolinas and Virginia, along with Georgia. As of 7am BST (2am EDT), Florence was churning through the Atlantic Ocean at 235 miles (375km) east-southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina. Will Hurricane Florence hit Maryland? Hurricane Florence is predicted to make landfall over the coastlines of North Carolina and South Carolina before moving westwards over the South Carolina state. This means Maryland will not be hit by the category 2 hurricane but people living there still face perilous conditions, officials say. Governor Larry Hogan said: There is an elevated potential for historic and catastrophic rainfall, life-threatening flooding, and high winds. “I urge Marylanders to stay tuned to your local news stations for the latest updates, listen to state and local authorities, use common sense, and most importantly, plan and be prepared ahead of this storm. “Do not wait until Wednesday.” Hurricane Florence tracker: Maryland is at risk of major rainfall The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MDMEMA) advised residents in the state to remain “extremely vigilant” as Florence makes landfall. Warnings are being issued for people to be on alert for areas prone to flooding. Large areas of Maryland have already experienced “significant rainfall” in the last day leaving the ground saturated and at risk of further flood damage. An emergency shelter strategy has been activiated while the state’s National Guard stands ready to assist. Hurricane Florence path tracker: Predicted rainfall over the US East Coast Will hurricane-force winds each Maryland? The eastern state is likely to be impacted by tropical-storm-force winds, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). NHC wind maps shows strong gusts up of to 39mph could hit Maryland by Thursday 7pm BST (2pm EST). Elsewhere, around 80 members of the Maryland Task Force 1 (MD-TF1) Urban and Rescue team have been deployed to South Carolina including swift water rescue resources. Hurricane Florence path tracker: Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency<doc-sep>'Whoever Is Watching This, They're Going To Get A Thrill': Willy T. 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Paul: Showtime Sports Announces Broadcast Team For June 6 EventThe network announced its plans for the broadcast of the pay-per-view exhibition bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Logan Paul. The 74th Annual 'Tony Awards' And 'The Tony Awards Present: Broadway's Back!' Come To CBS September 26thCBS and Tony Award Productions will celebrate Broadway’s highly anticipated return to live theatre with a multiplatform event The Tony Awards Present: Broadway's Back! Sunday, September 26th (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) broadcasting on CBS and available to stream live and on demand with Paramount+ or the CBS app.<doc-sep>ANNAPOLIS, MD — Hurricane Florence may only bring an inch or two of rain to Maryland, but state emergency officials tell residents they must remain vigilant and prepare for a bigger impact because the huge storm's path could change again. Last night the storm shifted its course a bit to the south, prompting some authorities to say Maryland has dodged a bullet. The Category 3 storm has winds of 120 miles per hour, and its strength is expected to fluctuate through Thursday morning as it makes its way to land. "Although slow weakening is expected to begin by late Thursday, Florence is still forecast to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it nears the U.S. coast late Thursday and Friday," the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday evening. But we're not out of the woods just yet. While the newest computer models show Florence heading south toward South Carolina and possibly even Georgia once it makes land, it could then head north again and bring to the Mid-Atlantic region next week, The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang says. Updated forecasts seem to have cut the expected rainfall for Maryland from the storm. "Yes. The latest NWS update DOES show Florence potentially steering away from Maryland, but flooding is still a concern and we need to remain prepared," the Maryland Emergency Management Agency said on Facebook. "We do not expect significant rain, more than showers, or strong winds through Sunday, because the storm is tracking so far south of us," The Washington Post said. "But next week, the storm may return north and deliver an uncertain amount of rain between Monday and Wednesday." The Anne Arundel County Emergency Management Office said on social media Wednesday that Marylanders will miss the worst of the storm initially. "This doesn't mean we should let our guard down though! The weekend may bring tidal flooding and continued rainfall. Preparing for storms is a crucial element of keeping your family safe during emergencies," the office said. (Stay on top of all the latest Hurricane Florence news with our free, real-time news alerts, find your local Patch here . If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app ; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!) That's not a good scenario for a waterlogged state. Maryland officials are most concerned about flooding if remnants of the storm stall over the region. Free sand for sandbags were offered to Harford County residents at sites in Joppa and Edgewood on Tuesday, and in Annapolis and Ellicott City on Wednesday. "As we move closer to the event and the inland track of Florence becomes clearer, so will the rainfall totals and resultant flooding impacts across our area," the National Weather Service said in forecast discussions. "Thursday night through Friday night has the potential to be unsettled as Florence remains to our south, though the extent of which is a bit in question." Higher totals are more likely south of the Washington, D.C., metro, the NWS said. This region will be particularly susceptible to flooding because of far-above-normal rainfall in the region since May. In addition, because the ground is likely to be saturated, trees would be vulnerable in strong winds. President Trump has approved emergency disaster declarations for the Carolinas as well as Virginia. "All interests from South Carolina into the Mid-Atlantic region should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place and follow any advice given by local officials," the Hurricane Center said as residents wait to see where the storm drops the heaviest rain. Hurricane Florence will make landfall on the coast near the border of North Carolina and South Carolina early Friday morning, then stall over the region, according to forecasters from the National Weather Service serving the Baltimore-Washington area. "Currently the strongest winds associated with Florence are expected to stay off to the south of our area," the weather service said in its Tuesday afternoon forecast discussion. Because of saturated soil, weather experts said downed trees are still a possibility with slightly windy conditions in Maryland. "For our area, the primary threat from Florence will be the potential for a prolonged period of heavy rainfall across the region," the National Weather Service reported. It was too early to pinpoint which areas would have the greatest threat, experts said Tuesday, noting that coastal flooding along the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac would continue to be a concern. Hurricane watches and storm surge watches went up Tuesday for the Carolinas to the Virginia border, with tropical storm-strength winds and rising water expected in the next 48 hours. "Florence is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday night," the National Hurricane Center said Tuesday morning. Forecasts call for torrential rains, tropical storm force winds, and tidal flooding/storm surge to affect the state beginning as early as Thursday, the governor's office said, while landfall in the Carolinas is expected at 2 a.m. Friday. It's still too early to know how close the storm will come to Maryland and what the impact will be on the state, but Annapolis has had coastal flooding close some downtown streets for several days. Maximum sustained winds are near 130 mph with higher gusts. "Florence is expected to begin re-strengthening later today and continue a slow strengthening trend for the next day or so," NHC forecasters said Tuesday. "While some weakening is expected on Thursday, Florence is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane through landfall." "The threat is increasing for potentially extreme and life-threatening flooding and other impacts for our region as Florence approaches later this week and through the weekend. Now is the time to prepare," the National Weather Service for Baltimore/Washington said. Officials urged residents to check the evacuation zone maps drawn by the Maryland Emergency Management Agency so they know if their area is included in any orders. The cities of Baltimore, Annapolis, and Ocean City, along with Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, Calvert, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary's, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties, are part of the zones. Check addresses and find more information at KnowYourZoneMd.com. Cautionary note to everyone in Mid-Atlantic & SE: The forecast for #Florence is straight forward thru Fri- it's coming toward SC/NC coast & is going to be bad. But then wild uncertainty in path which has big implications for impacts W, SW, and N of eastern Carolinas. Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/KTaT70OqUf — Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) September 11, 2018 At 8 a.m. Wednesday, the center of Hurricane Florence was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 mph, the NHC says. The center of Florence will move over Bermuda and the Bahamas through Wednesday, and approach the coast of North Carolina or South Carolina in the hurricane warning area on Thursday and Friday. Storm surge warnings and hurricane warnings have now been posted for portions of North and South Carolina. A tropical storm warning has been issued from north of Duck, North Carolina, to the North Carolina/Virginia border and a tropical storm watch is in effect from north of the North Carolina/Virginia border to Cape Charles Light, Virginia, along with the Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort. Crews from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration are out now to inspect, clean and clear storm water ditches, drains and inlets to let rainwater drain. "This is a major storm system, and it will likely cause significant damage and disruption to the state highway system," said MDOT SHA Administrator Gregory Slater in a news release. "Maryland has received above-normal rainfall throughout summer and the ground is saturated so additional rain is likely to run-off rapidly." Officials in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia have already declared states of emergency to give residents ample time to prepare. Washington, D.C., officials declared an emergency Tuesday morning as the District prepares for heavy rains and flooding. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam ordered a mandatory evacuation for Zone A, including the Eastern Shore and Hampton Roads areas starting Tuesday. WTOP says about 245,000 people live in the coastal area.<doc-sep>
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — WJZ is tracking Hurricane Florence. Live blog updates below. UPDATE: Sept. 10, 11 p.m.: By Thursday, the hurricane will be making landfall in North Carolina as a category 4 storm with winds around 140 mph. Major devastation is likely, and a storm surge may exceed 15 feet, and flood miles inland. Massive amounts of rain will again cause inland flooding as much as 10 to more than 25 inches of rain may fall there. Further north, here in Maryland, look for a breezy and likely wet end to the week, but we should escape any serious damage as we are too far north of the storm center, based on current models. Any shift further north would likely impact us with stronger winds and heavier rains, which would start later Thursday and extend into the weekend. Please stay tuned for further updates as the storm approaches later this week. Updated: Sept. 10, 12:54 p.m.: Florence has quickly intensified to a Category 4 hurricane. When hurricane hunter investigated the Florence they found maximum sustained winds at 130 mph. The severity of the threats for Maryland remain unclear, however it is likely we are going to see significant rainfall that could lead to flooding starting on Friday. Rainfall totals will vary based on where Florence makes landfall. But, so far 5 to 15 inches of rain is possible. This is not good news considering how saturated our ground already is. Stay with WJZ as we track the hurricane. Download the app. Original Post, Sept. 9, 5:18 p.m.: Florence certainly has our attention. The Category 1 Hurricane is rapidly intensifying as it takes aim at the southeastern U.S. As of Saturday evening, Florence’s sustained winds were up to 85 mph. It will likely intensify to a major hurricane on Monday evening. On the forecast track, the center of Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday, and approach the southeastern coast of the United States on Thursday. The latest models show a landfall over North Carolina on Friday morning but it’s still very early to bank on that and there is still plenty of uncertainty. The risk for life threatening impacts including storm surge and flooding is increasing for the southeast and here in Maryland, the main impact so far seems to be flooding from prolonged and heavy rain. The National Hurricane Center advises everyone from South Carolina into the mid-Atlantic to stay aware so that’s exactly what we are doing. We’ll keep you posted on air and right here at wjz.com. Follow @WJZ on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook