Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Hurricane Florence: where the storm is and where it’s heading

This map charts the course the storm has taken so far and shows NOAA’s best forecast for where it’s heading.

Hurricane Florence is heading to the Carolinas and Virginia, and is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge and coastal flooding, punishing rains, and high winds. The storm is forecasted to slow down as it approaches landfall Friday, brining with it a massive amount of rain. Communities along the coast are evacuating in preparation. The most dangerous aspect of a hurricane is often the storm surge, which is expected to top 9 or 13 feet in some areas. (View a storm surge warning risk map for the storm here.)

Luckily, there’s still time to prepare. This map below charts the course the storm has taken so far and NOAA’s National Hurricane Center’s best available forecast for where it’s heading. The map will update automatically when new forecasts are published. Regardless of its exact category rating, it will remain a dangerous situation.

Map by Ryan Mark and Casey Miller

How to follow Hurricane Florence:

  • The National Hurricane Center has a page updating every few hours with the latest watches and warnings for Florence. Check it out.
  • Follow the National Hurricane Center on Twitter; it will keep you up to date with all the latest forecasts, hazards, and warnings. Also follow its Charleston, South Carolina, branch.
  • Follow the Capital Weather Gang’s Twitter account. These folks tend to live-tweet storm updates.
  • Here’s a Twitter list of weather experts via meteorologist Eric Holthaus. These experts will give you up-to-the-second forecasts and warnings.
See More:

More in Climate

Climate
Why the American Southeast is becoming a new hot spot for wildfiresWhy the American Southeast is becoming a new hot spot for wildfires
Climate

“Weather whiplash” is fueling blazes across Florida and the region.

By Kiley Price
Climate
The climate crisis is coming for your groceriesThe climate crisis is coming for your groceries
Climate

Extreme heat is already wiping out soy, coffee, berries, and Christmas trees. Farm animals and humans are suffering too.

By Ayurella Horn-Muller
Future Perfect
“I’m disgusted to be a human”: What to do when you hate your own species“I’m disgusted to be a human”: What to do when you hate your own species
Future Perfect

Yes, it hurts to be human right now. That’s actually the assignment.

By Sigal Samuel
Climate
Levees can no longer save New OrleansLevees can no longer save New Orleans
Climate

The city is part of “the most physically vulnerable coastline in the world.”

By Oliver Milman
Future Perfect
The old tech that could help stop the next airborne pandemicThe old tech that could help stop the next airborne pandemic
Future Perfect

Glycol vapors, explained.

By Shayna Korol
Climate
The exploding costs of fighting US wildfiresThe exploding costs of fighting US wildfires
Climate

From taxes on nicotine to hotel rooms, states are looking for ways to pay the skyrocketing bill.

By Kylie Mohr