Wind and surf are rising on the entire coast of the Carolinas as Hurricane Florence closes in Thursday afternoon. A live cam on the Frying Pan Shoals light tower 34 miles off the tip of Cape Fear in Southeastern N.C. has about 120,000 viewers taking bets on the survival of the flag or the solar panels in the view.

According to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. statement and 3 p.m. update life-threatening storm surge is now highly likely along portions of the coastlines of South Carolina and North Carolina. A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for a portion of this area. The greatest storm surge inundation is expected between Cape Fear and Cape Hatteras, including the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers and western Pamlico Sound.

Large swells and heavy surf are affecting portions of the East Coast, as well as Bermuda and the northwestern and central Bahamas. Those conditions are expected to continue this week, resulting in life-threatening surf and rip currents.

Life-threatening, catastrophic flash flooding and prolonged significant river flooding are likely over portions of the Carolinas and the southern and central Appalachians through early next week, as Florence is expected to slow down as it approaches the coast and moves inland.

Damaging hurricane-force winds are likely along portions of the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina as soon as Thursday evening. a Hurricane Warning is in effect. Strong winds could also spread inland into portions of the Carolinas.