ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. —  Hurricane Florence continues to directly impact the Carolinas, bringing flooding rain, storm surge and very strong winds.

Florence is now a category 1 hurricane, but still presents a life-threatening situation with major impacts that will be felt for days. The center is located 60 miles east-southeast of Wilmington, NC.

The forecast for landfall has Florence moving ashore Friday morning near Wilmington in southeastern North Carolina as a category 1 hurricane.

Florence contains maximum sustained winds of 90 mph. Slight weakening may continue at landfall, but overall this storm will impact areas from the southeastern United States to the mid-Atlantic coastline with life-threatening flooding and storm surge.

Florence continues its slow forward progress, moving northwest at 6 mph. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center; tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 195 miles. The minimum central pressure is 956 mb.

Latest Watches and Warnings

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...

* South Santee River South Carolina to Duck North Carolina

* Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, including the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...

* Edisto Beach South Carolina to South Santee River South Carolina

* North of Duck North Carolina to the North Carolina/Virginia border

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...

* South Santee River South Carolina to Duck North Carolina

* Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...

* Edisto Beach South Carolina to South Santee River South Carolina

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* North of Duck North Carolina to Cape Charles Light Virginia

* Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort

* Edisto Beach South Carolina to South Santee River South Carolina

Significant storm surge flooding is expected to last at least 24 hours along the North Carolina Coast. The cities of the South Carolina coast such as Myrtle Beach and Charleston will be impacted as the slow moving hurricane slides down the coast. 

Rainfall totals could be as high as 20 to 30 inches and isolated 40 inches for Coastal North Carolina into far northeastern South Carolina.

This rainfall would produce catastrophic flash flooding and prolonged significant river flooding.

For the rest of South and North Carolina into southwest Virginia...6 to 12 inches of rain, isolated 24 inches, is possible.

Tropical Storm Isaac

Tropical Storm Isaac is becoming less organized as it enters the eastern Caribbean Sea. Maximum sustained winds are down to 40 mph. Isaac will likely weaken into a tropical depression as it travels west and the current forecast track indicates it may become a tropical wave.

There is still some uncertainty regarding the future of Isaac as it makes its way across the Caribbean. Some models runs have had it fading, others want to keep it in tact and lift it toward the Gulf of Mexico. 

Helene and Joyce

Helene is now a tropical storm. It will drift off to the north in staying over the eastern Atlantic cooler waters.

Joyce has dropped the 'sub-tropical' status and is now a tropical storm. Joyce will impact the Azores next week, but stays away from the U.S.

System in the gulf

We are also watching a trough of low pressure over the central Gulf of Mexico.

Upper level winds are favorable for development of a tropical depression before the system reaches the western Gulf coast on Friday. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the disturbance.

Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected across portions of northeastern Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana late this week.  It has less than 24 hours to develop before the disturbance moves inland.

Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.

Make sure to watch our Tropics updates each hour at :49.