(CNN) More and more, Florence is looking like a storm that may give the US East Coast problems as a potentially major hurricane next week.
Tropical Storm Florence, currently in the Atlantic about 1,500 miles from the coast, is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Sunday, and continue gaining power for days.
And computer models increasingly are showing it could be dangerously close to the United States late Thursday. The window for the storm to miss the US coast and turn harmlessly back to sea is closing, CNN forecasters said.
"It looks like now that (computer model) consensus really kind of puts it between Georgia and North Carolina," though other states along the coast should watch as well, CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar said Saturday afternoon.
"If you live anywhere along the East Coast, you want to be paying attention, because even if you (aren't at) the main landfall point, you're still likely to have impacts," including heavy rain and rip currents, she said.
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Florence, the swirl of clouds at the center of this satellite image from early Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, continues to slowly move toward the U.S. East Coast. Two other tropical systems are also spinning in the central and eastern Atlantic (right.) (Photo: NOAA)
Tropical Storm Florence, now spinning some 1,500 miles from North Carolina's Outer Banks, "is forecast to be a dangerous major hurricane near the southeast U.S. coast by late next week," the National Hurricane Center said Saturday.
It should become a hurricane later Saturday as its winds increase above 74 mph.
Meanwhile, the remnants of what was Tropical Storm Gordon will soak portions of the Midwest and East on Saturday and into Sunday, likely leading to widespread and dangerous flooding.
"Many areas in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana will continue to see a risk of flooding during the day Saturday," said AccuWeather meteorologist Ryan Adamson. Some spots could see a half-foot of rain over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Over 50 million people live where a flood watch or warning is in effect, mainly in the Midwest and in Texas.
As for Florence, the hurricane center said Saturday morning that "gradual restrengthening is forecast over the weekend."
The governors of both Carolinas have declared a state of emergency for each of their states.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Friday evening. Cooper said it’s “too early” to know where the storm will go, but residents should use the weekend to prepare for the possibility of a natural disaster.
In South Carolina on Saturday, Gov. Henry McMaster also declared a state of emergency due to the possible impacts from Florence. No evacuations have been ordered yet, however.
As of midday Saturday, Florence had winds of 65 mph and was crawling to the west at 7 mph. The center of the storm was about 835 miles southeast of Bermuda.
Widespread Showers, Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding this weekend. River Flooding Sunday and next week. Turn Around Don't Drown! #nwsind#INwxpic.twitter.com/pwBv8dRI1L — NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) September 8, 2018
The latest forecast shows Florence nearing the U.S. East Coast as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds on Thursday. A Category 4 hurricane can cause power outages that last for weeks to possibly months, the hurricane center said. If the hurricane makes landfall with those winds – which is possible but not certain – "most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months."
Heavy rain could also cause catastrophic flooding well inland from where the storm makes landfall, which is possible anywhere from Florida to New England, AccuWeather said.
The Weather Channel said that "all interests along the U.S. East Coast from Florida to New England should monitor closely the forecast of Florence. If you live in a hurricane-prone location, make sure you have a preparedness plan in place now, before any watches or warnings are issued."
The hurricane center warned that "swells generated by Florence are affecting Bermuda and will reach portions of the U.S. East Coast over the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions."
Two other systems, Tropical Storm Helene and Tropical Depression Nine, are also spinning in central and eastern Pacific Ocean. While Helene may not affect land, the tropical depression is forecast to strengthen to Hurricane Isaac and potentially hit the Caribbean later next week.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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The peak of hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean is Sept. 10, and right on schedule, the Atlantic Basin has come to life with numerous areas of concern. Foremost among those is Tropical Storm Florence, which is expected to restrengthen into a hurricane next week and looks increasingly likely to hit the East Coast.
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North Carolina already declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm on Friday.
Tropical Storm Florence has winds of 65 mph on Saturday morning as it is located 840 miles southeast of Bermuda. The storm is moving west at 9 mph.
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Florence is still a tropical storm, but is expected to become a hurricane by Sunday, and a major hurricane again early next week.
The storm is forecast to move generally in a westward direction over the coming days, with an increase in forward speed during the early part of the week. On this path, Florence will track over the warm waters off the southeast U.S. coastline.
As Florence moves west, the wind shear will decrease, allowing Florence to become more organized and intensify. There is a possibility of significant intensification in the early part of next week.
A ridge of high pressure moving in from the central U.S. is expected to move toward the Northeast by midweek. This ridge of high pressure will cause a blocking pattern and steer Florence dangerously close to, or into, the East Coast of the U.S. by midweek. The forecast track shows Florence’s forecast path approaching the southeast U.S. coastline late next week.
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The risk of direct impact by Florence on the East Coast is rising. Most of the models are now showing Florence having a direct and major impact to the East Coast in the upcoming week. It is important to note that there is considerable uncertainty five days out, making it too soon to determine the magnitude and timing of potential major impacts to the East Coast.
The immediate threat this weekend will be large swells and dangerous rip currents along the East Coast due to the storm.
Helene forms, tropical depression targets Caribbean
Tropical Storm Helene formed just west of Africa in the early morning hours of Saturday. Helene has winds of 45 mph, and is 330 miles from the Cabo Verde Islands. The storm is moving west at 13 mph.
Helene is forecast to strengthen, with tropical storm conditions reaching the Cabo Verde Islands Saturday. Locally, up to 8 inches of rain is expected in the Cabo Verde Islands.
Helene will likely become a hurricane next week.
ABC News
Moving closer to the Caribbean, Tropical Depression Nine has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph Saturday morning, and is currently 172 miles east of the Windward Islands. The system is moving west-northwest at 5 mph.
The system is expected to move westward over the coming days, and will likely become a tropical storm later Saturday. The forecast track has the storm strengthening to a hurricane next week as is tracks west.
ABC News
It is too early to determine what, if any, impacts this system will have on the Caribbean. However, the system is worth watching as we get into next week as it nears the Lesser Antilles.
Olivia approaching Hawaii
The Pacific Ocean is also lively this weekend.
Hurricane Olivia had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph, and was approximately 1,370 miles east of Honolulu as of 11 p.m. local time.
Olivia is expected to move west-northwest through Saturday, before turning more westward on Sunday. The storm will slowly weaken over the next few days.
ABC News
Olivia is expected to approach the main Hawaiian Islands early next week, but it is too early to determine the magnitude of the potential impacts.
It is important to note that significant impacts are possible well away from the center of the storm, and that the track error can be quite large at day 5 and beyond.
Florence takes aim. Photo: NOAA
As of early September, the 2018 hurricane season had been calm compared to the frenzy of 2017, in which three major storms – Harvey, Irma, and Maria – wrought havoc in the Caribbean and on the U.S. mainland.
That may be about to change.
Tropical Storm Florence, currently churning across the Atlantic Ocean, is increasingly likely to strike the East Coast late this week as a major hurricane. Forecasts show the Carolinas most vulnerable to a direct hit, but there is still plenty of uncertainty about the exact track of the storm, and forecasters say the swath of coastline between Florida and New York City is at risk.
This weekend is a good time for interests along the U.S. East Coast to review their hurricane plan. pic.twitter.com/Vb1YxIqZ3b — National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 7, 2018
As of Saturday morning, Tropical Florence was moving at nine miles per hour with winds of 60 miles per hour. But it is expected to strengthen in force and speed in the coming days, thanks to warm Atlantic waters, a decrease in wind shear, and a high-pressure system arriving from the Midwest, which is expected to steer Florence west.
On its current track, Florence’s winds are forecast to strengthen to 140 miles per hour by Wednesday morning, making it an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane. If it does indeed make landfall on the coast, it would most likely arrive on Thursday.
Just a day or two ago, Florence was thought to be very likely to curve out to sea; of the 79 named storms that have formed within 200 miles of its birthplace in the Atlantic, none have hit the United States. But now, almost all models show Florence taking a very different track from her predecessors.
I've mentioned the concerning trend with #Florence in the models...here it is. Today & the last 3 days PM runs of the models. They've come farther west each time. Think lines are the ensemble averages BTW. Will be watching to see if the trend doesn't continue in the days ahead. pic.twitter.com/OFGdrYo2FI — Mike Thomas (@MikeTFox5) September 7, 2018
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a pre-emptive state of emergency on Saturday morning.
