From Tropical Storm to Threatening Beast

Hurricane Florence began as a tropical wave off the coast of West Africa in late August 2018. Like many storms in the Atlantic hurricane season, it gradually strengthened as it moved westward. By September 4, it became a named storm, and a few days later, it intensified into a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds near 140 mph.

At its peak, meteorologists feared a catastrophic landfall. But what made Hurricane Florence especially dangerous wasn’t just its strength—it was its slow speed. The storm slowed dramatically as it approached the U.S. East Coast, allowing it to dump record-breaking amounts of rain over the same areas for days.

Landfall and Flooding

Florence officially made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, on September 14, 2018, as a Category 1 storm. While it had weakened from its earlier Category 4 status, Florence was far from harmless. In fact, its slower speed (as little as 2–3 mph at times) allowed it to act like a giant watering can, soaking southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina with unrelenting rainfall.

Some areas received over 30 inches of rain, with Swansboro, NC recording a staggering 35.93 inches—the most ever recorded from a tropical cyclone in the state. Rivers rose rapidly and stayed high for days, overflowing their banks and flooding neighborhoods, roads, farms, and businesses. Small towns were cut off completely, and emergency responders faced challenges reaching people in need.

The Real Damage: Water, Not Wind

Unlike many hurricanes that cause destruction with high-speed winds, Hurricane Florence made its name through flooding. Massive rainfall led to widespread inundation in both urban and rural areas. Rivers like the Cape Fear, Lumber, and Neuse spilled into surrounding communities, damaging thousands of homes and forcing mass evacuations.

The storm surge—water pushed ashore by Florence’s winds—only added to the misery. Coastal towns like New Bern and Wilmington saw water levels rise dramatically, submerging cars and damaging homes and infrastructure. In Wilmington, rising waters even made it temporarily inaccessible by road, isolating thousands of residents.

Florence’s total cost in damages was estimated at $24 billion, placing it among the top 10 most expensive hurricanes in U.S. history.

A Human Toll

Tragically, Hurricane Florence was responsible for at least 54 deaths, most of them in North Carolina. Many fatalities were caused by drowning—either in rising floodwaters or in vehicles swept away by currents. Others were related to storm clean-up, generator misuse, and medical emergencies that couldn’t be attended to due to blocked roads and power outages.

More than 1 million people were under evacuation orders, and over 20,000 people were housed in emergency shelters during the height of the storm. Homes, schools, and businesses were destroyed, and for many residents, recovery would take years.

Environmental Consequences

Hurricane Florence didn’t just affect people—it had a major impact on the environment, too. Eastern North Carolina is home to numerous hog farms, coal ash ponds, and industrial agricultural operations. As the floodwaters rose, they carried waste and pollutants into rivers and streams, leading to serious concerns about water quality and long-term environmental damage.

The flooding of hog waste lagoons released millions of gallons of animal waste into the surrounding environment, while breaches in coal ash storage sites released toxic substances into waterways.

Community Response and Resilience

Despite the devastation, the response to Hurricane Florence showcased the best of humanity. Emergency workers, volunteers, church groups, and neighbors worked together to rescue those trapped by floodwaters, distribute supplies, and support long-term rebuilding efforts.

Federal and state agencies deployed thousands of personnel to assist with evacuations, logistics, and disaster recovery. FEMA and the National Guard played major roles in the emergency response, while local nonprofits and charities stepped in to fill the gaps.

Residents leaned on one another. Communities organized food and supply drives. Volunteers helped clear debris and repair damaged homes. In the face of unimaginable loss, the people of the Carolinas showed what real resilience looks like.

Lessons from Florence

Hurricane Florence taught us that no storm should be underestimated based solely on its category. Its slow movement and heavy rainfall highlighted the dangers of water in hurricanes—a lesson that would be echoed by storms like Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

Here are a few key takeaways:

• Category isn’t everything: Florence was a Category 1 at landfall, but it caused damage more typical of a major hurricane.
• Flooding is often the biggest threat: Heavy rainfall can be more damaging and deadly than wind, especially in low-lying areas.
• Infrastructure needs upgrading: Many affected areas lacked sufficient drainage and flood prevention systems.
• Emergency planning saves lives: Communities with strong disaster plans were better able to protect their residents.

Moving Forward

Years later, Hurricane Florence still lingers in the minds of those it affected. Recovery continues in some areas, especially rural communities that lacked resources to rebuild quickly. For many, Florence was a wake-up call about the growing intensity and unpredictability of storms in a warming world.

As climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events, the lessons of Hurricane Florence become even more critical. Preparation, resilience, and community cooperation are key to surviving future storms.