In photos: Millions at risk as Hurricane Florence charges toward the US East Coast
Hurricane Florence took a slight turn to the southwest as it charged toward the Carolinas on Wednesday, with forecasters warning that the Category 4 storm might now produce catastrophic flooding and rain in a larger swath of the coast and farther inland than previously predicted. The eye of the Category 4 storm was expected to pass between Bermuda and the Bahamas on Wednesday and arrive at the Carolina coast by Friday. Tropical storm-force winds, extending 175 miles from the center, were expected to arrive on land by Thursday morning, giving more than 1 million people scarce time at that point to evacuate.
A high definition camera outside the International Space Station captured a NASA view of Hurricane Florence.HO/AFP/Getty Images
A man sweeps the entrance of a boarded up store before Hurricane Florence comes ashore in Carolina Beach, North Carolina.CARLO ALLEGRI/Reuters
A Virginia Beach, Va., resident moves a sandbag before loading it in his truck in Virginia Beach, Va.Alex Brandon/The Associated Press
Sand bags surround homes on North Topsail Beach, N.C.Chuck Burton/The Associated Press
Wiggles waits to board The Humane Society of the United States, Animal Rescue Team van as the team relocates cats and dogs from the Portsmouth Humane Society in preparation of Hurricane Florence in Portsmouth, Va.L. Todd Spencer/The Associated Press
Homes along the Atlantic Ocean are boarded up hours ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence, on Folly Island, S.C..JOHNNY MILANO/The New York Times News Service
IN SPACE - SEPTEMBER 12: In this satellite image provided by the National Aeronatics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA), Hurricane Florence churns through the Atlantic Ocean toward the U.S. East Coast.Supplied/Getty Images
Dennis Kernodle talks on the phone during storm preparations of his oceanfront home ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina.RANDALL HILL/Reuters
As a truck dumps more sand, residents fill sandbags in Virginia Beach, Va.Alex Brandon/The Associated Press
"Pray for Wilmington" is seen on boarded up windows ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, North Carolina.CHRIS KEANE/Reuters
Chris and Nicole Roland walk down a beach in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.. The couple boarded up their uncle's condominium and are leaving soon as Hurricane Florence approaches.Jeffery Collins/The Associated Press
As store windows are prepped with plywood a couple waits for their automobile in Nags Head, N.C.Gerry Broome/The Associated Press