Hurricane Florence, a Category 4 storm as of Monday afternoon, is forecast to make landfall Thursday on the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina.Three states over the weekend declared states of emergency, suspending certain hours regulations for truck drivers, in advance of Hurricane Florence, which has been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 130 miles per hour as of Monday afternoon.
The storm is forecast to make landfall on the East Coast Thursday night. The track of the storm is still uncertain, but South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia are taking precautions to prepare resources in advance.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an emergency declaration Saturday, Sept. 8, suspending size and weight regulations for trucks hauling essential fuels, food, water, medicine medical supplies, livestock, poultry, food for livestock and poultry, crops, and trucks transporting materials for utility restoration and debris removal. The declaration also suspends hours regulations for the same drivers.
Additionally, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued similar declarations suspending hours and size and weight regulations for storm relief.
The National Hurricane Center warned Monday morning of “a life-threatening storm surge” along portions of the coastlines of South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The storm is expected to slow down as it approaches the coast and moves inland, causing a “prolonged and exceptionally heavy rainfall event.” Damaging hurricane-force winds are also likely along the costs of South Carolina and North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center.
