Hurricane Florence swirled westward across the Atlantic on Sunday, and forecasters said it will strengthen into a major hurricane that could hit the East Coast toward the end of the week.
Florence is expected to become a major hurricane by Monday, the National Hurricane Center said. The Miami-based center defines a major hurricane as one with wind speed greater than 110 mph (177 kph).
A “rapid intensification” was expected to begin Sunday. At 5 a.m. EDT, Florence’s maximum sustained winds were estimated at 70 mph (110 kph). The storm was centered about 765 miles (1,235 kilometers) southeast of Bermuda and moving west at 6 mph (9 kph).
Here are the 11 AM EDT Key Messages for Hurricane #Florence. There is an increasing risk of life-threatening hazards from storm surge and heavy rainfall from the Carolinas into the mid-Atlantic region later this week https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/cAQTyasGE9
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 9, 2018
ISAAC
Tropical Storm Isaac is almost a hurricane, according to the NHC. Isaac formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday. It’s one of three storms churning in the Atlantic Ocean, with Tropical Storm Florence heading toward the U.S. East Coast and Tropical Storm Helene heading toward some of the Cabo Verde islands.
As of a 11 p.m. ET, Isaac was located 1,580 miles east of the Windward Islands, which include St. Lucia, Dominica, Martinquie and Grenada. A westward motion with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next few days, the National Hurricane Center said.
Isaac had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph on Saturday.
Here are the latest Key Messages on Tropical Storm #Isaac. Isaac is forecast to be at or near hurricane strength when it approaches the Lesser Antilles on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/MszAB48qRq
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 9, 2018
HELENE
Helene strengthened into a hurricane Sunday afternoon, according to the NHC. which formed Friday night, is expected to bring tropical storm conditions to the Cabo Verde islands, off the coast of Africa, on Sunday. As of 11 p.m. ET Saturday, Helene was located 155 miles southeast of the southern most Cabo Verde islands.
Helene could dump two to four inches of rain on the Cabo Verde islands, with up to six inches in isolated spots, through Sunday. Flash floods are possible.