Skip to content

In pictures: Hurricane Florence strikes the eastern US

News imageReuters Hurricane Florence off the US east coast in the Atlantic OceanReuters
Hurricane Florence seen off the US east coast, over the Atlantic Ocean

Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina on Friday, drenching the East Coast area of the United States.

Five deaths have been linked to the storm and thousands of people spent the night in emergency shelters.

Originally categorised as a hurricane, Florence has since been downgraded to a tropical storm.

Evacuation warnings have been issued for 1.7 million people as it moves across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

Here is a selection of striking images from when it hit.

News imageReuters A sign on a boarded-up building reads "Go away Florence"Reuters
Many residents in affected areas boarded up their homes and businesses before the storm hit
News imageReuters A man drives his vehicle around the Union Point Park Complex through floodwaters as the Hurricane Florence comes ashore in New BernReuters
The storm caused many roads, towns, and cities to be flooded
News imageGetty Images Rescuers with a resident in a boat in North CarolinaGetty Images
Some North Carolina residents had to be evacuated by emergency teams
News imageJoJo Turbeville Some serious damage has occurred at Marion County Airport (KMAO) from winds associated with #FlorenceJoJo Turbeville
Aircraft including helicopters, an aeroplane and a microlight were damaged by high winds at Marion County Airport in South Carolina
News imageReuters A vehicle in a flooded street in the North Carolina city of New BernReuters
Around 150 people were trapped in their houses in the North Carolina city of New Bern
News imageReuters Water from the Neuse river floods the streets during the pass of Hurricane Florence the town of New Bern, North Carolina, US on 14 September 2018Reuters
Water from the nearby Neuse River flooded the city
News imageReuters Two people walk in flooded streets in New Bern, North CarolinaReuters
New Bern's streets were flooded during the heavy rainfall
News imageReuters Boats pushed away from the dock on a street in the town of New Bern, North Carolina on 14 September 2018.Reuters
Boats were carried by the force of the winds from New Bern's docks on to the city's streets
BBC on the ground as Hurricane Florence arrives
News imageGetty Images A woman and her dog being rescuedGetty Images
Some residents were reluctant to evacuate because not all shelters accept pets
News imageReuters A tree is poictured on top of a house in Wilson, North CarolinaReuters
Trees were downed across North Carolina amid high winds
News imageAFP A father and daughter appear emotional as a neighbour is taken away injured from fallen treeAFP
People watch as a neighbour is rescued after a tree fell on his home in Wilmington, North Carolina
News imageBBC Presentational white space
News imageAFP Waves crash into the Second Avenue Pier in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on September 14, 2018.AFP
The storm continued its way across the Carolinas, sending waves crashing against this pier in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
News imageBBC Presentational grey line

You may also be interested in:

All pictures subject to copyright