The Latest: Florence causing historic, unprecedented floods

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The Associated Press

NEW BERN, N.C.

The Latest on Tropical Storm Florence (all times local):

10:30 a.m.

One of the authorities leading the response to Florence says the storm is causing “historic and unprecedented flooding.”

Michael Sprayberry is director of the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management. He told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday that Florence’s combination of heavy rainfall, extreme storm surge and high winds makes the storm “one for the record books.”

Both Sprayberry and Coast Guard commandant Adm. Karl Schultz say they are getting all the support they need from the federal government.

Schultz has a lead role in responding to Florence. He notes that the storm is moving very slowly and that some of the affected areas haven’t seen the worst of it.

He also notes that the affected areas are looking at a “long-term recovery.”

___

9:45 a.m.

The mayor of a Fayetteville, North Carolina, suburb says about 100 people in her community have been urged to evacuate to higher ground over flooding concerns.

Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner said Sunday morning that the warning went out to neighborhoods around Hope Mills Lake because the water there is expected to rise significantly. She says fire and police officials were going door to door in the affected neighborhoods Sunday morning to make sure people are aware.

Warner says a complete dam failure is not expected. So far, she says the lake hasn’t overflowed its banks.

___

9:45 a.m.

The mayor of New Bern, North Carolina, says his city has imposed a curfew. He says there are 30 roads still unpassable, 4,200 homes and more than 300 commercial buildings damaged, 6,000 customers without power and 1,200 residents in shelters because of hurricane-turned Tropical Depression Florence.

Mayor Dana Outlaw told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday that many of the creeks in the area are “increasing by the hour” and there’s concern about trees falling due to the saturated ground conditions.

Outlaw says officials are “urging residents to stay inside and to not travel,” especially so as to not interrupt utility workers trying to restore power.

___

9:45 a.m.

The head of the U.S. government’s disaster relief agency says Florence is unfortunately delivering the damage that was predicted as it sweeps across the Carolinas.

Brock Long told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is working to meet the demands of North Carolina officials “as they’re coming up to us.”

Long noted that “recovery is always a very frustrating process for people when they’ve lost their livelihoods, but we’re going to be OK.”

Long says the agency’s immediate focus is on search-and-rescue efforts and meeting the needs of people who are in shelters.

___

9 a.m.

Authorities say a couple have died in South Carolina after using a generator inside their home during Florence.

Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said 63-year-old Mark Carter King and 61-year-old Debra Collins Rion were killed by breathing in carbon monoxide.

Willard said in a statement their bodies were found in a Loris home Saturday afternoon, but they likely died the day before as the heavy rains and winds from former hurricane-turned-Tropical Depression Florence were moving onshore.

___

5:10 a.m.

Florence has weakened into a tropical depression but flash flooding and major river flooding are expected to continue over significant portions of the Carolinas.

The National Hurricane Center says in its 5 a.m. update Sunday that excessive amounts of rain are still being dumped in North Carolina and the effect is expected to be “catastrophic.” An elevated risk of landslides is now expected in western North Carolina.

Forecasters say heavy rains also are expected early in the week in parts of West Virginia and the west-central portion of Virginia. Both states also are at a risk of dangerous flash floods and river flooding.

At 5 a.m. Sunday, Florence was about 20 miles (35 kilometers) southwest of Columbia, South Carolina. It has top sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph) and is moving west at 8 mph (13 kph).

____

2:06 a.m.

Tropical Storm Florence is expected to weaken into a depression soon but flash flooding and major river flooding are expected to continue over significant portions of the Carolinas.

The National Hurricane Center says excessive amounts of rain are still being dumped in North Carolina and the effect is expected to be “catastrophic.” In its 2 a.m. update Sunday, the center also says an elevated risk of landslides is now expected in western North Carolina.

Forecasters say heavy rains also are expected early in the week in parts of West Virginia and the west-central portion of Virginia. Both states also are at a risk of dangerous flash floods and river flooding.

At 2 a.m. Sunday, Florence was about 25 miles (45 kilometers) southeast of Columbia, South Carolina. It has top sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and is moving west at 6 mph (9 kph).

___

1:05 a.m.

North Carolina is bracing for what could be the next stage of the still-unfolding disaster: widespread, catastrophic river flooding from Florence.

After blowing ashore as a hurricane with 90 mph (145 kph) winds, Florence virtually parked itself much of the weekend atop the Carolinas as it pulled warm water from the ocean and hurled it onshore. Storm surges, flash floods and winds have spread destruction widely and the Marines, the Coast Guard and volunteers have used boats, helicopters, and heavy-duty vehicles to conduct hundreds of rescues as of Saturday.

The death toll from the hurricane-turned-tropical storm has now climbed to 11.

Rivers are swelling toward record levels, forecaster warn, and thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate for fear that the next few days could bring some of the most destructive flooding in North Carolina history.








FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 file photo, Joe Gore, left, and Joshua Adcock prepare for Hurricane Florence as they board up windows on a home in Emerald Isle N.C. Before and after a hurricane, Ace is the place. And Home Depot, Lowe’s, and many other hardware and building supply outlets. Not surprisingly, these companies plan for storms such as Hurricane Florence all year.

FILE – In this Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 file photo, Joe Gore, left, and Joshua Adcock prepare for Hurricane Florence as they board up windows on a home in Emerald Isle N.C. Before and after a hurricane, Ace is the place. And Home Depot, Lowe’s, and many other hardware and building supply outlets. Not surprisingly, these companies plan for storms such as Hurricane Florence all year.

Tom Copeland, File

AP Photo








City of New Bern crews work to clear storm damaged trees in historic New Bern, N.C., Sept. 15, 2018. Hurricane Florence brought high winds and storm surges to eastern North Carolina.

City of New Bern crews work to clear storm damaged trees in historic New Bern, N.C., Sept. 15, 2018. Hurricane Florence brought high winds and storm surges to eastern North Carolina.

Sun Journal via AP

Gray Whitley








Resident Alice Tolson steps over storm debris that washed up from the Neuse River at her home on East Front Street in New Bern, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, after Hurricane Florence sweeps over eastern North Carolina.

Resident Alice Tolson steps over storm debris that washed up from the Neuse River at her home on East Front Street in New Bern, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, after Hurricane Florence sweeps over eastern North Carolina.

Sun Journal via AP

Gray Whitley








A 40-foot yacht lies in the yard of a storm-damaged home on East Front Street in New Bern, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. The boat washed up with storm surge and debris from Hurricane Florence.

A 40-foot yacht lies in the yard of a storm-damaged home on East Front Street in New Bern, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. The boat washed up with storm surge and debris from Hurricane Florence.

Sun Journal via AP

Gray Whitley








Resident Joseph Eudi looks at flood debris and storm damage from Hurricane Florence at a home on East Front Street in New Bern, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Resident Joseph Eudi looks at flood debris and storm damage from Hurricane Florence at a home on East Front Street in New Bern, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Sun Journal via AP

Gray Whitley








Yuri Hickey, right, and a worker from the Red Cross point at a weather report inside a storm shelter at Ridge View High School as remnants of Florence slowly move across the East Coast Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Columbia, S.C. Hickey lives on a sailboat in Charleston and evacuated to the same shelter at Ridge View High School during Hurricane Matthew in 2016. He has also lost two sailboats during hurricanes in the Florida Keys.

Yuri Hickey, right, and a worker from the Red Cross point at a weather report inside a storm shelter at Ridge View High School as remnants of Florence slowly move across the East Coast Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Columbia, S.C. Hickey lives on a sailboat in Charleston and evacuated to the same shelter at Ridge View High School during Hurricane Matthew in 2016. He has also lost two sailboats during hurricanes in the Florida Keys.

Sean Rayford

AP Photo








New Bern firefighters check the safety of residents in a flood and wind damaged area of Johnson Street in historic New Bern, N.C., Sept. 15, 2018. Hurricane Florence brought high winds and storm surges to eastern North Carolina.

New Bern firefighters check the safety of residents in a flood and wind damaged area of Johnson Street in historic New Bern, N.C., Sept. 15, 2018. Hurricane Florence brought high winds and storm surges to eastern North Carolina.

Sun Journal via AP

Gray Whitley








A closed sign hangs from the front door of the Blue Flour bakery on Main St. in Columbia, S.C. as the remnants of Hurricane Florence slowly move across the East Coast Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

A closed sign hangs from the front door of the Blue Flour bakery on Main St. in Columbia, S.C. as the remnants of Hurricane Florence slowly move across the East Coast Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Sean Rayford

AP Photo








A young man carries bottles of wine down the sidewalk as the remnants of Hurricane Florence slowly move across the East Coast Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Columbia, S.C.

A young man carries bottles of wine down the sidewalk as the remnants of Hurricane Florence slowly move across the East Coast Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Columbia, S.C.

Sean Rayford

AP Photo








People cross a downtown street in Columbia, S.C. as the remnants of Hurricane Florence slowly move across the East Coast Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

People cross a downtown street in Columbia, S.C. as the remnants of Hurricane Florence slowly move across the East Coast Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Sean Rayford

AP Photo








FILE - This Feb. 19, 2014 file photo shows the L.V. Sutton Complex operated by Duke Energy from the Sutton Lake landing in Wilmington, N.C. Duke Energy says heavy rains from Florence have caused a slope to collapse at a coal ash landfill at a closed power station near the North Carolina coast. Duke spokeswoman Paige Sheehan said Saturday night, Sept. 15, 2018, that about 2,000 cubic yards of ash have been displaced at the L. V. Sutton Power Station outside Wilmington.

FILE – This Feb. 19, 2014 file photo shows the L.V. Sutton Complex operated by Duke Energy from the Sutton Lake landing in Wilmington, N.C. Duke Energy says heavy rains from Florence have caused a slope to collapse at a coal ash landfill at a closed power station near the North Carolina coast. Duke spokeswoman Paige Sheehan said Saturday night, Sept. 15, 2018, that about 2,000 cubic yards of ash have been displaced at the L. V. Sutton Power Station outside Wilmington.

Randall Hill, File

AP Photo








FILE - This Feb. 19, 2014 file photo, shows the L.V. Sutton Complex operated by Duke Energy just outside of Wilmington, N.C. Duke Energy says heavy rains from Florence have caused a slope to collapse at a coal ash landfill at a closed power station near the North Carolina coast. Duke spokeswoman Paige Sheehan said Saturday night, Sept. 15, 2018, that about 2,000 cubic yards of ash have been displaced at the L. V. Sutton Power Station.

FILE – This Feb. 19, 2014 file photo, shows the L.V. Sutton Complex operated by Duke Energy just outside of Wilmington, N.C. Duke Energy says heavy rains from Florence have caused a slope to collapse at a coal ash landfill at a closed power station near the North Carolina coast. Duke spokeswoman Paige Sheehan said Saturday night, Sept. 15, 2018, that about 2,000 cubic yards of ash have been displaced at the L. V. Sutton Power Station.

Randall Hill, File

AP Photo








FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018 file photo, a man jogs down the boardwalk by the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington, N.C., as Hurricane Florence threatens the coast. Record flooding is expected on Cape Fear River in the coming week, and signs of the coming flood are already apparent. The Cape Fear River is predicted to crest at 62 feet (nearly 19 meters) in Fayetteville on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

FILE – In this Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018 file photo, a man jogs down the boardwalk by the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington, N.C., as Hurricane Florence threatens the coast. Record flooding is expected on Cape Fear River in the coming week, and signs of the coming flood are already apparent. The Cape Fear River is predicted to crest at 62 feet (nearly 19 meters) in Fayetteville on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

Chuck Burton, File

AP Photo








Craig Camara, a volunteer North Shore Animal League, holds a puppy that was rescued from a shelter in one of the three states in the path of Hurricane Florence, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Port Washington, N.Y.

Craig Camara, a volunteer North Shore Animal League, holds a puppy that was rescued from a shelter in one of the three states in the path of Hurricane Florence, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Port Washington, N.Y.

Julie Walker

AP Photo








FILE - In this June 23, 2014 file photo, the dried-up bed of an inactive coal ash pond is seen at Duke Energy’s Sutton plant in Wilmington, N.C. Duke Energy says heavy rains from Florence have caused a slope to collapse at a coal ash landfill at a closed power station near the North Carolina coast. Duke spokeswoman Paige Sheehan said Saturday night, Sept. 15, 2018, that about 2,000 cubic yards of ash have been displaced at the L. V. Sutton Power Station outside Wilmington.

FILE – In this June 23, 2014 file photo, the dried-up bed of an inactive coal ash pond is seen at Duke Energy’s Sutton plant in Wilmington, N.C. Duke Energy says heavy rains from Florence have caused a slope to collapse at a coal ash landfill at a closed power station near the North Carolina coast. Duke spokeswoman Paige Sheehan said Saturday night, Sept. 15, 2018, that about 2,000 cubic yards of ash have been displaced at the L. V. Sutton Power Station outside Wilmington.

The Star-News via AP

Mike Spencer








A special announcement for “Hurricane Hours” is displayed on a shop window as the remnants of Hurricane Florence slowly move across the East Coast Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Columbia, S.C.

A special announcement for “Hurricane Hours” is displayed on a shop window as the remnants of Hurricane Florence slowly move across the East Coast Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Columbia, S.C.

Sean Rayford

AP Photo








FILE - In this Monday, Sept. 10, 2018 file photo, Jim Craig, David Burke and Chris Rayner load generators as people buy supplies at The Home Depot in Wilmington, N.C. “It’s a year-round thing for us,” said Margaret Smith, spokeswoman for Atlanta-based Home Depot. “When it’s hurricane season, we are operating 24 hours a day.”

FILE – In this Monday, Sept. 10, 2018 file photo, Jim Craig, David Burke and Chris Rayner load generators as people buy supplies at The Home Depot in Wilmington, N.C. “It’s a year-round thing for us,” said Margaret Smith, spokeswoman for Atlanta-based Home Depot. “When it’s hurricane season, we are operating 24 hours a day.”

The Star-News via AP, File

Ken Blevins








FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 file photo, people line up outside a Home Depot for a new supply of generators and plywood in advance of Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, N.C. “It’s a year-round thing for us,” said Margaret Smith, spokeswoman for Atlanta-based Home Depot. “When it’s hurricane season, we are operating 24 hours a day.”

FILE – In this Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 file photo, people line up outside a Home Depot for a new supply of generators and plywood in advance of Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, N.C. “It’s a year-round thing for us,” said Margaret Smith, spokeswoman for Atlanta-based Home Depot. “When it’s hurricane season, we are operating 24 hours a day.”

Chuck Burton, File

AP Photo








Rain-soaked furniture store workers load boxes into a truck, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Fayetteville, N.C., less than a mile from the Cape Fear River, which is set to crest at 62 feet early Tuesday. When John Rose who owns a furniture business heard about possible flooding, he quickly moved to have a crew empty more than 1,000 mattresses from a warehouse located in a low-lying strip mall threatened by the coming surge of water.

Rain-soaked furniture store workers load boxes into a truck, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Fayetteville, N.C., less than a mile from the Cape Fear River, which is set to crest at 62 feet early Tuesday. When John Rose who owns a furniture business heard about possible flooding, he quickly moved to have a crew empty more than 1,000 mattresses from a warehouse located in a low-lying strip mall threatened by the coming surge of water.

Alex Derosier

AP Photo








In this Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 photo, Manager Tom Roberts watches as an employee positions a pallet of mulch to protect the Ace Hardware store from Hurricane Florence in Calabash, N.C. Roberts still had supplies like bottled water, but went ahead and closed so his employees could prepare their homes.

In this Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 photo, Manager Tom Roberts watches as an employee positions a pallet of mulch to protect the Ace Hardware store from Hurricane Florence in Calabash, N.C. Roberts still had supplies like bottled water, but went ahead and closed so his employees could prepare their homes.

Jeffrey Collins

AP Photo








A member of the U.S. Coast Guard walks down Mill Creek Road checking houses after tropical storm Florence hit Newport N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

A member of the U.S. Coast Guard walks down Mill Creek Road checking houses after tropical storm Florence hit Newport N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Tom Copeland

AP Photo








Members of the Nebraska Task Force 1 urban search and rescue team help load an elderly resident onto a bus as they evacuate an assisted living facility to a church as a precaution against potential flooding the city could see from tropical storm Florence in Fayetteville, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Members of the Nebraska Task Force 1 urban search and rescue team help load an elderly resident onto a bus as they evacuate an assisted living facility to a church as a precaution against potential flooding the city could see from tropical storm Florence in Fayetteville, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

David Goldman

AP Photo








A downed tree uprooted by Hurricane Florence lies next to homes in New Bern, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

A downed tree uprooted by Hurricane Florence lies next to homes in New Bern, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Steve Helber

AP Photo








Oceanfront homes sit over rough surf from tropical storm Florence in Rodanthe NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Oceanfront homes sit over rough surf from tropical storm Florence in Rodanthe NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Steve Helber

AP Photo








A pickup truck drives on a flooded road past a farm house that is surrounded by flooded fields from tropical storm Florence in Hyde County, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

A pickup truck drives on a flooded road past a farm house that is surrounded by flooded fields from tropical storm Florence in Hyde County, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Steve Helber

AP Photo








Flood waters from hurricane Florence inundate the town of Engelhard, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Flood waters from hurricane Florence inundate the town of Engelhard, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Steve Helber

AP Photo








A farm house is surrounded by flooded fields from tropical storm Florence in Hyde County, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

A farm house is surrounded by flooded fields from tropical storm Florence in Hyde County, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Steve Helber

AP Photo








A sailboat is shoved up against a house and a collapsed garage Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, after heavy wind and rain from Florence, now a tropical storm, blew through New Bern, N.C.

A sailboat is shoved up against a house and a collapsed garage Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, after heavy wind and rain from Florence, now a tropical storm, blew through New Bern, N.C.

Steve Helber

AP Photo








Houses are surrounded by water from Florence, now a tropical storm, in New Bern, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Houses are surrounded by water from Florence, now a tropical storm, in New Bern, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Steve Helber

AP Photo








Rescue personnel use a small boat as they go house to house checking for flood victims from Florence, in New Bern, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Rescue personnel use a small boat as they go house to house checking for flood victims from Florence, in New Bern, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Steve Helber

AP Photo








Rescue personnel use a small boat as they go house to house checking for flood victims from Florence, now a tropical storm, in New Bern, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Rescue personnel use a small boat as they go house to house checking for flood victims from Florence, now a tropical storm, in New Bern, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Steve Helber

AP Photo








Rescue personnel use a small transport a flood victim and her animals to dry land from heavy rains from Florence, now a tropical storm, in New Bern, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Rescue personnel use a small transport a flood victim and her animals to dry land from heavy rains from Florence, now a tropical storm, in New Bern, NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Steve Helber

AP Photo








A man peers from his flooded home in Lumberton, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

A man peers from his flooded home in Lumberton, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

Gerry Broome

AP Photo








A member of the U.S. Coast Guard assists Roger and Susan Hedgepeth in Lumberton, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, following flooding from Hurricane Florence.

A member of the U.S. Coast Guard assists Roger and Susan Hedgepeth in Lumberton, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, following flooding from Hurricane Florence.

Gerry Broome

AP Photo








Petty Officer Second Class David Kelley patrols a flooded neighborhood in Lumberton, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, following flooding from Hurricane Florence.

Petty Officer Second Class David Kelley patrols a flooded neighborhood in Lumberton, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, following flooding from Hurricane Florence.

Gerry Broome

AP Photo