Hurricane Florence: Eleven now reportedly dead

  • Updated
  • 16/09/2018

Ex-Hurricane Florence doesn't seem to be giving up, with eleven people reportedly killed by the storm's torrential force.

The tropical storm, which has been pummelling North and South Carolina over the weekend, has devastated towns and knocked out power across much of the region.

Of those dead so far, a mother and her baby were killed when a tree fell onto their home and emergency services were only able to save the father.

The Weather Channel reports the death toll has reached eleven.

Authorities are now primarily concerned with floodwaters which have been rapidly advancing into urban communities, with many people requiring rescue by boat or helicopter.

Some towns have been evacuated due to fears of rivers breaching their banks.

"If you are refusing to leave during this mandatory evacuation, you need to do things like notify your legal next of kin because the loss of life is very, very possible," Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said.

Downed power lines are also being considered a major threat, especially as waters make them difficult to spot.

Roughly 800,000 homes across North Carolina are without power, and a further 120,000 in South Carolina.

While Florence is expected to finish its march across the region in the next day, the storm has taken its time, travelling at just 3km/h.

The White House has confirmed US President Donald Trump has approved making federal funding available in some affected countries, which the President will visit next week.

Newshub.