Hurricane Florence is bearing down on the Carolinas, and it's one of those storms that brings on an incredible sense of dread for those in its path. Accuweather is predicting a financial toll in the $30 billion range for the potential Category 4 storm. While it could weaken to a Category 3 storm, the National Hurricane Center also expects that Florence will slow down -- meaning the adverse effects of the storm will last even longer.
There's not a lot I can tell you that you won't hear anywhere else. I always look at the spaghetti models of every storm, which shows the various tracks it could take. Note that nearly every scenario shows a landfall in the Carolinas or Virginia. This is one the United States is likely to escape, and could be a bad as last year's devastating hurricanes in the Houston area and in Puerto Rico.
Tropical storm force winds are expected to hit the Carolinas as early as late tomorrow, but more likely on Thursday morning. If you have loved ones in the area, please check on them and make sure they are wrapping up preparations and taking this seriously. Because we've seen what kind of damage a serious storm can do.
Also, if you're traveling, flight cancellations are going to a very real thing. With a major American Airlines hub in Charlotte, the prospect of cancellations up and down the Eastern Seaboard are quite good. Check with your airline. Chances are they are allowing fee waivers if you decide to change your plans.
And as a final note, let's be thankful that we have much better information on storms and potential impacts that ever before.
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