Hurricane Florence has exploded into a potentially catastrophic category 4 storm as it zeroes in on North and South Carolina, carrying winds of up to 209kph and water that could wreak havoc over a wide stretch of the eastern United States later this week.
The National Hurricane Centre said the monster storm was continuing to intensify and would be close to category 5 strength by late tonight.
The South Carolina Governor ordered the state's entire coastline to be evacuated starting at midday today.
The Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, also ordered the mandatory evacuation of 245,000 residents of low‑lying coastal areas in the state.
