WATCH: Hurricane Florence devastates US coast with ‘enormous’ storm surge

THE NORTH CAROLINA coastline has been swamped by a storm surge as Hurricane Florence hit hard this morning.
The National Hurricane Center of the United States is considering the resulting ‘life-threatening’ storm surge.
Reports are emerging that flash floods rising to 1.92 metres in some areas have inundated the North Carolina coast.
Winds of up to a reported 90mph lashed the area and photos have emerged of the American flag, hoisted upon the Frying Pan Tower, in tatters as a result of the fierce weather.
Massive power outages have been reported with officials estimating 156,000 homes could be without electricity.
The storm surge is reportedly a result of the nearby Neuse River bursting its banks and early accounts suggest ‘enormous waves’ are devastating homes in some areas.
In Morehead City, police have been forced to suspend all operations as the adverse storm conditions have rendered it impossible for them to function.
The storm warning has been reduced this morning to a Category 1 as the worst phase of the storm has passed, however, it is still being treated as extremely dangerous.

Hurricane Florence @ midnight 9.13.18
Pungo River is raging across Belhaven, NC
Stay safe y’all! pic.twitter.com/zYbKCKBLnY

— meesh 🪴 (@hooponaloop) September 14, 2018

Hurricane Florence batters the Carolinas with howling winds, life-threatening storm surges and torrential rains as it came to close making landfall in what officials warned is a once in a lifetime event https://t.co/DqQpuEqbcA pic.twitter.com/0xwWp9O86R

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) September 14, 2018

I was just briefed on Hurricane Florence. FEMA, First Responders and Law Enforcement are supplied and ready. We are with you! https://t.co/mP7icn0Yzl pic.twitter.com/a8KQ0lcoSD

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 13, 2018

Storm surge has already begun to inundate the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Coastal flooding may persist through the end of this weekend as #Florence stalls at landfall tonight.

📽️: @StormVisuals pic.twitter.com/9sVkuaFfJ3

— Hurricane Tracker App (@hurrtrackerapp) September 13, 2018