The National Hurricane Center provided a complete undated forecast for Hurricane Florence at 5 a.m. Eastern time and an intermediate update at 8 a.m. Eastern time.
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As of 8 a.m., the eye of Hurricane Florence was located near latitude 26.4 North and longitude 64.6 West, moving west-northwest at 15 mph. It is about 405 miles off the coast of Bermuda and 950 miles from Cape Fear, North Carolina.
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Storm surge and hurricane watches have been issued for parts of the U.S. east coast, from Edisto Beach, South Carolina northward to the North Carolina-Virginia border.
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Hurricane Florence is still forecasted to approach the coast of North Carolina or South Carolina Thursday.
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Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 130 mph with higher gusts. Florence is still a category 4 hurricane, and some re-strengthening is expected.
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Hurricane force winds currently extend up to 40 miles from the center of the storm, with tropical-storm-force winds extending 150 miles out.
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Florence is expected to produce 15 to 20 inches of accumulated rainfall, with isolated areas of up to 30 inches, in portions of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
A storm surge watch means there is a possibility rising water could move inland from the coastline, creating life-threatening conditions. This watch remains in effect for at least the next 48 hours.
A hurricane watch is generally issued 48 before the first tropical-storm-force winds are anticipated. It signals to residents that it is time to make outside preparations before doing so becomes dangerous.
