(World news) Hurricane florence makes landfall in US
Key points:
- Hurricane Florence hits the US at 7.15am ET (12.15pm BST)
- 460,000 people lose power in the Carolinas
- North Carolina governor asks Trump for aid
- Forecasters warn severe flooding from massive storm surges
It will not take long for flash flooding to occur
FEMA's spokesman added: "Concerns beyond Monday continues as it moves into the Appelations Sunday into Monday and into the Midlag region early next week.
"Due to the recent rainfall we've had over the last couple of weeks it will not take much rainfall for additional flash flooding to occur - one to three inches in a couple of hours will lead to flash flooding."
This is only the beginning - it will be worse than Hurricane Floyd in 1999
A FEMA spokesman said: "High tide will come again at midday today.
"This is only the beginning.
"Florence is a slow-mover. It will continue to trek along the North and South Carolina coastline for the next 24 to 48 hours.
"It will not get to Colombia, South Carolina until Sunday midnight.
"We've already seen a foot of rain just north of Wilmington, North Carolina. We're expecting 20-30 inches, some isolated places will see 40 inches.
"This is in comparison to September of 1999 - the first half of that month we had Hurricane Dennis and Floyd and produced about the same amount of rainfall that we are expecting with Florence.
"The only difference is that was within 14 days and we're looking at the same amount of rainfall in three days.
"Some of the river levels are forecast to exceed historic levels - some of those were during Hurricane Floyd.
"We must emphasise that for your own safety is key.
"Do not drive anywhere water covers the roadways, especially at night.
"Flooding will start tonight and increase Sunday into Monday further inland.
"Always remember, 'turn around don't drown' - that's the main thing."
460,000 homes and businesses lose power
That's up from 150,000 overnight.
Most of the outages are in North Carolina, according to poweroutage.us which tracks the nation's electrical grid.
Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
Guests rescued as motel collapses
About 70 people were rescued from a motel in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
Officials found a basketball-sized hole in the motel's wall and other damage including cinder blocks crumbling and parts of the roof collapsing due to the hurricane.
The guests were taken to a public safety centre. None of them were injured.
Pig manure concerns
North Carolina is the US' second biggest hog-farming state - about 9m pigs are raised on about 2,300 farms.
They produce about 10bn pounds of manure every year which is stored in massive uncovered, soggy fields - many near the coast.
But, there are concerns the manure could spill into nearby fields and waterways due to storm surges.
Environmental group the Waterkeeper Alliance said the overspill could get into water used for drinking or recreation.
Andy Curliss, CEO of the North Carolina Pork Council said the lagoons can handle as much as 25 inches (64cm) or rain.
"If we get more than 25 inches of rain, then we'll be concerned," he told Bloomberg.
Accuweather said 40 inches of rain is predicted.
The photo below shows pigs on a hog farm waiting to be rescued in 1999 during Hurricane Floyd which made landfall in North Carolina with winds of 110mph.
The island of Hatteras off the North Carolina coast flooded ahead of the eye of the storm hitting
Artist Sarah Misch captured the water coming in as she drove through the town centre.
Hurricane slows down to 6mph
But it still has wind speeds of 90mph, it's just moving quite slowly as it comes closer to the Carolinas coast.
FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has given some advice to those affected, saying do not put your guard down just because the hurricane has been downgraded.
Animal shelters
It's not just people who are being evacuated.
There are thousands of animals living in shelters in South and North Carolina and Virginia.
The shelters have been preparing for Florence since last week, but most have little funding and it costs tens of thousands to transport animals safely.
The Charleston Animal Society has deployed staff to many of the areas which are expected to be hit hardest by Florence, including Myrtle Beach.
About 100 staff and 700 volunteers are ready to help - but many of them will be helping to evacuate their own families and animals.
Animal shelters also work to save pets left behind by families who evacuate late as the floodwaters rise.
Joe Elmore, CEO of the Charleston Animal Society told Money Magazine: "Our expenses for responding to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria were around $120,000 last year
"Five years ago we didn’t even budget for disasters."
The photo below shows dogs being evacuated from the Dorchester Paws animal shelter in Summerville, South Carolina, on Tuesday ahead of Florence hitting on Friday.
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