Current Location: 34.2N, 77.6W
Geographic Reference: 10 miles east of Topsail Beach
Movement: West at 6 mph
Max Winds: 100 mph gusting to 120 mph
Organizational Trend: Steady
Forecast Confidence: Average

As of 5:50 AM EDT, Doppler Radar indicates that the edge of the eye of Hurricane Florence is moving onshore around Topsail Beach and Surf City, beach communities east of Wilmington. Official landfall will likely occur between 6:30 and 7 AM. The eyewall will be spreading into Wilmington by 7 AM EDT. Wind gusts over 100 mph are likely occurring within the eyewall. Destructive tidal surges are likely occurring on the coast. Destructive surges continue for areas along rivers, including New Bern.

In addition to the wind and surges, more than 20 inches of rainfall has fell in coastal area.s Widespread catastrophic flooding is expected throughout southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina.

Our next full advisory will be issued by 10 AM EDT

Meteorologists: Derek Ortt

Lat. Lon. Max Sustained Winds Category
34.20N 77.60W 100 mph Category 2