Hurricane Florence-triggered floods forced the closure of Interstate 95 and Interstate 40 in North and South Carolina.
In Fayetteville, all lanes of I-95 are closed between Exit 81 (I-40) and Exit 65 (NC-82) near Dunn because of flooding, according to WCTI. The road is slated to open Sept. 17 on 8:30 a.m.
Drivers have to take Exit 81-A for I-40 West, and they are advised to continue on I-40 West until reaching Exit 123-A (US-321 South) in Hickory, North Carolina. Later, they should continue on US-321 South and turn right on I-85 South in Gastonia. Then, they should continue on I-85 South to enter South Carolina.
Florence Update
Staff at local news station WWAY had to shelter in place on Sept. 16 due to a tornado warning.“A turn toward the northwest with an increase in forward speed is expected today, followed by a turn toward the north and northeast with an additional increase in forward speed on Monday. On the forecast track, Florence’s center will move across the western Carolinas today and then recurve over the Ohio Valley and Northeast U.S. Monday and Tuesday,” according to the agency.
But it stated that between “5 to 10 inches, with storm total accumulations of 15 to 20 inches in western North Carolina“ can be expected. ”These rainfall amounts will produce catastrophic flash flooding, prolonged significant river flooding, and an elevated risk for landslides in western North Carolina and far southwest Virginia,” the agency said.