page_title: Meteorological history of Hurricane Florence
section_title: Landfall and dissipation
hierarchical_section_title: Meteorological history of Hurricane Florence / Landfall and dissipation
caption_attribution_description: English: NEXRAD animation of Hurricane Florence making landfall in North Carolina
context_page_description: The meteorological history of Hurricane Florence spanned 22 days from its inception on August 28, 2018, to its dissipation on September 18. Originating from a tropical wave over West Africa, Florence quickly organized upon its emergence over the Atlantic Ocean. Favorable atmospheric conditions enabled it to develop into a tropical depression on August 31 just south of the Cape Verde islands. Intensifying to a tropical storm the following day, Florence embarked on a west-northwest to northwest trajectory over open ocean. Initially being inhibited by increased wind shear and dry air, the small cyclone took advantage of a small area of low shear and warm waters. After achieving hurricane strength early on September 4, Florence underwent an unexpected period of rapid deepening through September 5, culminating with it becoming a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Thereafter, conditions again became unfavorable and the hurricane quickly diminished to a tropical storm on September 7.
  From September 7–9, Florence's forward momentum slowed as it turned west. Favorable conditions again fostered intensification on September 9 and the system regained hurricane status.
context_section_description: The outer rainbands of Hurricane Florence began affecting North Carolina during the latter half of September 13. Ample atmospheric moisture combined with strong upward lift from the anticyclone atop Florence yielded an environment conducive to widespread torrential precipitation. NEXRAD radar data from Morehead City indicated rainfall rates of 1 to 2 in (25 to 50 mm) per hour within these bands. Florence's forward motion slowed throughout the day as the ridge steering it northwest built ahead of the cyclone toward the Appalachian Mountains. The previously disrupted eye rejuvenated; however, wind speeds within the storm continued to decrease. Additional fluctuations in the hurricane's core resulted in erratic movement, including a brief stalling period approximately 100 mi (155 km) east-southeast of Wilmington. By 21:00 UTC, sustained hurricane-force winds reached the North Carolina coastline. Trudging west, the eye of Florence ultimately made landfall near Wrightsville Beach at 11:15 UTC on September 14 as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a central pressure of 956 mbar (hPa; 28.23 inHg).
  As the hurricane moved ashore, deep convection blossomed along the eastern side of Florence's core. A strong inflow band became established within this area, resulting in localized heavy rain along the Crystal Coast. Rainfall rates within the western eyewall reached an estimated 3 in (75 mm) per hour while widespread accumulations of 1 to 2 in (25 to 50 mm) per hour fell within the eastern band. A rain gage in Swansboro indicated accumulations of 14 to 15 in (360 to 380 mm) by 14:34 UTC, exceeding radar estimations. Consistent flooding rains impacted Carteret County, prompting a flash flood emergency by this time. Although the hurricane continued its slow movement west, the rain band gradually propagated east resulting in no net movement. Early on September 15, this band remained situated over Onslow, Carteret, Jones, Lenoir, and Wayne counties. A new rain band developed closer to the storm's core over New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Bladen, and Sampson counties. Catastrophic flash flooding from these bands ensued throughout the day, washing out roads and prompting water rescues.
  Although the center of Florence progressed inland over South Carolina, offshore convective available potential energy values of 1,000–2,000 J/kg and strong mid-level winds continued fueling the aforementioned rainbands. A low-risk of tornadoes accompanied the heavy rain across North Carolina. Minimal diabatic heating stemming from the hurricane's lack of a thermal gradient kept the threat of tornadic storms low, with the primary driving force being ample atmospheric moisture. Small-scale training supercells—series of severe storms that continuously develop, track across, and dissipate over the same areas—developed between Morehead City and Wilmington during the overnight hours of September 14–15. Record flooding ensued along the Cape Fear, Northeast Cape Fear, Lumber, and Waccamaw rivers; nine USGS river gauges observed all-time crests. Flooding persisted along multiple rivers for more than a week after the storm. Approximately 86,000 homes across North and South Carolina were flooded or otherwise damaged. Total damage between the two states reached an estimated $24 billion, ranking Florence as the ninth-costliest hurricane in United States' history.
  Florence weakened below hurricane strength by 00:00 UTC on September 15. Its close proximity to the coastline enabled it to maintain its organization and only slowly degrade. Throughout the majority of the day intense rainbands persisted over southern North Carolina, with six-hourly accumulations averaging 3 to 6 in (76 to 152 mm) in two bands extending from Brunswick to Bladen counties and Pender to Sampson counties. Aided by an anticyclone, this band stretched across 350 mi (565 km) along the eastern side of Florence. The heaviest rains shifted to South Carolina early on September 16; estimated rainfall rates reached 2 to 3 in (51 to 76 mm) per hour in Dillon, Marion, and Marlboro countie
caption: NEXRAD animation of Hurricane Florence on September 13–14 as it made landfall in North Carolina