Our eyes and ears on the ground. Conditions are beginning to change. John is going to be with us this entire hour. We are in the Opening Hours of Hurricane Florences assault on the carolinas, but the siege itself will last days. Over the past few hours, the monster storm has slowed, but that is not good news. The National Hurricane center says the storm surge could still rise up to 13 feet. Thats enough to swallow the first floor of buildings pretty easily. And though the storm weakened slightly overnight to a category 2, as it will make landfall as a cat 2, the surge coming with it is considered a category 4. Catastrophic flooding is also expected inland with florence looking to stall over the carolinas. It will then dump seemingly endless rain for days. And the days part of this equation is where the real problems can set in. The predictive rainfall totals are both historic and jawdropping. Up to 40 inches in some parts. So its looking to be one hit after another after another hit for the region, and it is going to start very soon. Were fanned out with teams up and down the carolina coast to help you understand the mass size of this and the coming impacts of this, and of course, that includes john berman in oak island, North Carolina. John. Thanks so much, kate. As you said, days and days of this. I have to tell you, im just feeling the first wind gusts that feel like they mean business. Here on oak island, theres a mandatory evacuation order. Some 8,000 people live here. About 500 remain. Why have they been told to leave . So much fear over storm surge. This dune im standing on can withstand a 3foot storm surge. Higher, the water will flow over it. I want you to look at the houses. Some are on stilts, built up high to withstand some storm surge, but my producer is 53 with her arm raised, maybe seven feet max. The storm could be nine feet tall which means the water will rush right into the houses and even some of the stilts will not be able to withstand the power of the storm surge expected up and down the carolina coast. Lets get the latest forecast track. At 11 00 update, our meteorologist chad myers joins us with that. Chad. Hi, john. 105 now, the new number for the eye or the eyewall itself. 105 Miles Per Hour. Last time we were 110, but dont let that fool you. Every other number in this storm other than eyewall is the same that it was when it was a category 3 storm. So right there, this is the eyewall. Right there. And because its got a little bigger, we have lost a little bit of continuity to it. Thats why the initial number is down. But the initial number of that 130 or 140 was only right here. It was just right here in this eye. Everything else about this storm, left and right, completely the same, and even right now, the tornado watch up here or the Tornado Warning just issued in pamlico sound, some of these will be rotating as they work their way inland. Theres the storm there. Youre not that far from your first batch of weather, john, because its about ten miles to your east. John berman, oak island, right there. Heres the first batch of weather coming your way. It will bring you probably 45mileperhour winds and the steps up from there. Your maximum wind speed tonight should be around 1 00 or 2 00 a. M. And a tough night to sleep. Ill still see you in the morning, but you may have toothpicks in your eyes trying to stay away from that storm. Sounds like im about to get wet. Chad myers in the weather center, thank you so much. Oak island, where i am right now, just one of many of these Barrier Islands where they have mandatory evacuation orders. Lets go to Carolina Beach. Miguel marquez is there. What are you seeing . Very much the same thing. Starting to feel the first winds. I want to show you the ocean. The waves are getting much bigger. This is high tide, about 5 feet high right now. You can see the dark clouds off in the distance as well. Theyre not expecting the real Hurricane Force winds, the 45mileperhour winds or so until about 2 00 p. M. In about three hours here where thats when they will shut the bridge completely, and Carolina Beach will be on its own until this thing is over. 6200 people live here. Most, most have evacuated. But some have decided to stay. The town manager here saying basically, you are on your own. They will have some security individuals here, but they will not be able to respond once that wind hits 45, 50 Miles Per Hour or so. Its too dangerous for them to go out. Some local concerns here they have, Waste Water Treatment Plant on the island, theyre afraid that may take on water and overflow. Also a Nuclear Power plant between here and wilmington, brunswick, which duke energy has begun the process of shutting down the two power units there in the event that they take on water. They have also put up barriers around that plant. So they are readying that. Theres also a munitions plant, an Army Munitions depot nearby that the mayor here is concerned about. So lots of concern. Everybody watching and waiting. But that water, five feet now at high tide. This is going to last for some time. Stack on top of that several feet of the storm surge. Basically a bulldozer of water this storm is going to push on there, stack on that 10, 20, perhaps 30 inches of rain and thats what theyre talking about. They expect a big swath of this town to be under water in the hours ahead. John. Miguel marquez in Carolina Beach. As he lays it out, so many areas of concern, and for such a long time. Two, three days after the storm makes initial landfall, which it already has in the outer banks, turns very slowly and moves south. Heads toward myrtle beach, south carolina. Thats where nick valencia is at this moment. Nick, what are you seeing . John, this has become an urgent situation here in myrtle beach, south carolina. Earlier this morning, they closed the beach, but it hasnt stopped a lot of people from coming out and checking out the conditions here. It has picked up. The wind has picked up in the hours we have been out here. So have the waves. Just like where miguel is, its high tide here. You have a lot of people on the beach trying to see what theyre up against and what Hurricane Florence is going to bring. We talk about evacuations. A lot about evacuations. 60 of myrtle beach, were told by the local congressman here, local representative, that 60 of this area has evacuated. What about those that arent leaving . In fact, some people say they cant. They dont have the resources to do it. We talked to one man a short time ago who says he doesnt have a car, doesnt have a license, doesnt have a way out of here. You said you live here, youre going to ride the storm out. Yeah, i have nowhere else to go. Shelters dont take dogs. The shelters here are not allowing animals in, so you decided to stay. Yes, sir. Are you worried at all . Are you a veteran about this . I went through hugo. Thought too worried . No. This is an area that is accustomed to hurricanes. I think that gives people more of false confidence that theyre going to be able to ride this storm out. Florence is predicted to be stronger, lot stronger than that storm. One message that the mayor has really emphasized here throughout the day. The hospital is closed. The emergency room is closed. Its all been fully evacuated. Those patients have been transferred to neighboring states like georgia and florida. She also says the First Responders are not around here if you decide to stick around and get injured, youre not going to get help. John. Nick valencia in myrtle beach, thank you. Joining me, the mayor of oak island, North Carolina. Mayor cin, as shes known around here. You have an update on how many people chose to stay. We did a windshield driveby and it looks like about 500 people who chose to remain on the island. They may pack up later. They have a small window of opportunity. When the winds get high, well close the bridge at 45. If theyre going to go, they need to go now. Were not there now, but its starting to pick up. And my hair, yes, youre right. We look down the beach. Look, i see people walking on the beach behind me. Whats your message to these folks . My message is, caution. We asked you to leave. If you dont, then please go shelter in place and stay safe. You mentioned 45 Miles Per Hour. We have been speaking to some of these First Responders. And they will respond as soon as they can, but they cant. They wont be able to get out until the winds get beneath 45 Miles Per Hour. Could be a long time before that happens. With this storm in particular, theyre predicting two, three days of high storms and a lot of rain. We will not allow them to leave or neither will the county unless its under 45 Miles Per Hour. If you have a health issue or if youre just a little iffy about the storm and afraid you made need help, then go. You can always come back. You have nothing is more important than your life. You have a little time, a little more time. Not talking five hours. Probably two. At the most. At the most. Okay. Because everybody will start leaving and get a little nerves as the winds kick up which you can see since i talked to you this morning, way stronger than earlier. Were standing on top of this dune in one of the walkways. I want people to understand, were not destroying the dune, but the dune here can withstand about a threefoot storm surge. Whats going to happen to this dune in the next two days . Well, im afraid whats going to happen is that it wont be here when i wake up on sunday morning or saturday morning, whenever the skies clear, well be on the beach assessing. Im praying and hoping it stays. My fear is it will not. The water will come over, go up into the houses, and like you were demonstrating earlier, this storm surge is stronger than any we have seen. And the storm surge, people have been to the Barrier Islands. The water comes in, it brings sand, debris, and then whatever roads that exist will be covered. Exactly, well have dunes in the roads. What people i dont think understand about a storm surge, and im by no means an expert, but its kind of like a tsunami. It pulls it out and then it brings it back in. So just, and i cant stress enough how the aftermath is going to be worse than we have seen before, but were prepared, ready. We have crews standing by. Theyre bringing in people from outside the county to help volunteer. Were hoping we will recover as quick as we possibly can. Mayor cin brochure, its beautiful here. Thank you for letting us come here to appreciate and watch as you get ready for the storm. We have to head out here. I pray for you. Pray for oak island, and all the rest of the citizens of North Carolina. Stay safe. Thanks so much, mayor. I appreciate it. Lets go back to you, kate. All right, john. Thanks so much to the mayor. John, as he says, hes only himself got a little window left. We have much more of our coverage of Hurricane Florence bearing down on the carolinas. Coming up. This is a story about mail and packages. And its also a story about people. People who rely on us every day to deliver their dreams theyre handing us more than mail theyre handing us their business and while we make more ecommerce deliveries to homes than anyone else in the country, we never forget. That your business is our business the United States postal service. Priority you all the tools you need for every step of the way. Make it, squarespace slonly remfresh useseep one in ionpowered melatonin ht. To deliver up to 7 hours of sleep support. Number one sleep doctor recommended remfresh your nightly sleep companion. Were keeping a close eye on Hurricane Florence. The storm is slow, massive, and heading to the carolina coast. More than a Million People have been under mandatory evacuation orders ahead of this storm. Cnns scott mclean is joining me from one of the centers taking in these residents. This one in conway, south carolina. Just outside myrtle beach. What are people telling you there . Hey, kate. Emphasis on evacuation center. This is not a shelter. The red cross says the function of this place is purely just to keep people safe until Hurricane Florence passes and until the danger is actually over. That means there are not cots for everybody. A lot of people are simply sitting on the floor. Its certainly not an ideal situation, but its better than the alternative for a lot of people. I want to introduce you to one family. This is james and elwana. I wonder, you were telling me earlier, the ground by your house is already pretty marshy, isnt it . Yes, sir. Its real spongy. You step on it in places and mud will cover your foot. So flooding is a real concern then . I would think so because were in close proximity to the rivers. We have creeks and lowlying areas around the house. Youre in a mobile home as well so this structure is safer than that. Are you worried a lot about the wind . I mean, its going to be a big factor. Im hoping it dont tear nothing up, but its an older home. Its been remodeled a little bit, but still, you dont play with the hurricanes and storms. Of course. How has it been staying here for you . It has been a blessing. We have been just laying here on the floor, putting them two on carts. Just waiting on the hurricane to come. But it has been a blessing. It hasnt been a real, real hard thing to do. Because you know, we have shelter. For the most part, i have enjoyed it. I met new people. The red cross has been amazing. The Police Officer that stays here at night, shes been amazing. You have been just grateful to be indoors and in a safe place. Yeah. How long do you guys expect to be here . It depends what the storm does. Once they give us the allclear, ill check out the house and make sure everything is good. If its satisfactory, then ill come back and well take the family and go home. I wish you the best of luck. Hopefully you stay dry and stay safe. Thanks for talking to us. Kate, you meet a lot of people who are just like them, living in a lower lying area, in a mobile home or a prefabricated home. They have a lot to worry about. Theyre hoping they stay dry and this is over quick. They have the perfect attitude. No matter what, as she said, just a blessing theyre there. A blessing that theyre safe. And theyre with their kids. So scott, thanks so much. Hoping to hear more of their stories throughout the day. Joining me now, though, by phone, is mayor tim goodwin, the mayor of holly beach, North Carolina, just south of charleston. Can you hear me . I can. Good morning. Thank you for jumping on the beach. The entire county is under a mandatory evacuation. Im hearing that youre planning to stay put. I have talked to other mayors who are evacuating along with other residents. Why, mayor, are you staying . Well, our Emergency Management system is here. And as long as i have employees here, ill be here. If we decide that the winds are picking up too much and we move to our next Emergency Management center, alternate, well all move at the same time. But we do have residents here who did not leave, as well as residents that did evacuate, and we have a duty to try to maintain their property and keep it as safe as possible for as long as we can. Is there still a chance for those residents sticking around that you can convince them to evacuate, do you think . We have been trying to explain to people and trying to convince them that it is time to leave. While everybody gets focused in, they look at the National Weather map. From the hurricane center, and they watch that line, and they focus on that line, but as the folks from the National Hurricane center stay, remember, this is a big storm. So this storms winds and storm surge is stretching out hundreds of miles either side of that line. That line wobbles a little bit one way or the other, and youre in trouble. So thats our message. And once the winds, like everybody else, hit that 45mileperhour speed, youre on your own. Youre not going to get emergency calls. And if its a real high tide with high winds and the causeway and one twolane road gets covered over, youre really by yourself. I was actually wondering, at what point what point do you think its going to be, would Emergency Services arent going to be able to answer the call . Well, at that 45mileperhour wind spot. When it reaches that, thats it. We wont put anybodys life in danger, so Standard Operating Procedure all across the state. We follow that just like everybody else does. And youre on your own. So especially if you have medical problems or you need assistance, you need to leave now while you can, while you still have an opportunity. Go ahead. I was going to say, we also have the island locked down, basically, to just residents only coming and going off the island. Then at nighttime, we have a curfew in place to make it easier for our policemen to maintain peoples property from not being vandalized or tress passed on. As you well known, as youre watching, the forecast is not only about the storm making its initial landfall as a cat 2, but also as you very well know, the massive storm surge, its the rain, its the sheer size of this storm and how far it reaches. The fact that rain could be dumping on the shore for days. How bad to you think this could be for folly beach . Well, it all depends which track it follows. If it follows inland and goes behind us, well get some storm water flooding, but not as bad as if it bumps the coast and decides to head south. Then our storm surge is going to go up. And as we have experienced before, once the hurricane comes, we not only get flooding from the ocean, but because our island is not all that wide, we also get flooding from the river on the back side, the sound on the back side. So thats a big concern. Its the greatest concern. Most of the