Storm Surge: Hurricane Bears Down on Southeast US, Wreaking Havoc with Widespread Flooding
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As a powerful hurricane approaches the southeastern United States, coastal areas in Florida are already experiencing flooding damage.
Authorities immediately ordered residents in the area to evacuate.
The emergency declaration area is expanding beyond Florida.
This is correspondent Wang Jong-myeong in Washington.
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The hurricane hasn’t even made landfall yet, but the storm is already raging in parts of Florida, flooding cities and roads.
Residents are either stocking up on daily necessities or abandoning their homes altogether.
[플로리다 주민]
“If you’re thinking about evacuating, do it. Come on. I’m telling you to get out of the fence. Evacuate.”
Meteorological authorities said Hurricane Hulin was heading north toward Florida with maximum wind speeds of 170 kilometers per hour.
It is currently classified as a Category 3 out of 5 hurricane categories, but there are observations that its power could increase if it makes landfall on the northwest coast of Florida this evening.
A tsunami of up to 6 meters was also predicted.
The state of Florida closed three airports in the area where Hulin was expected to make landfall and issued an immediate evacuation order for local residents.
[론 디샌티스/플로리다 주지사]
“The impacts are being felt in some areas of our state right now. If you’re in North Florida, you still have time to evacuate, but evacuate now.”
As Hulin moved north, the path it took was unusual, so the hurricane emergency was expanded to Virginia, following Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
There is a possibility that its power may weaken somewhat as it penetrates inland, but the authorities urged thorough preparation, saying never to underestimate it.
[디앤 크리스웰/미국 연방재난관리청장]
“There is the potential for significant impacts across multiple states, from Florida to Tennessee.”
Meteorological authorities said that another tropical storm has formed in the Atlantic Ocean following Hulin, and that it has the potential to grow into a hurricane this weekend.
This is Wang Jong-myeong from MBC News in Washington.
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