ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Florence has weakened into a tropical depression and it will continue to lose its strength this afternoon. Despite the storm weakening, the flooding risk remains extremely high for today with the heavy rain continuing over saturated ground.

Florence will continue moving toward the west and then eventually to the northwest today into portions of western North Carolina and Virginia. It will then move into the Ohio River Valley for the start of the week. An increase in storm motion is expected today and tomorrow.

Persistent bands of rain continue to hammer North and South Carolina. Already rainfall amounts of 24-30” have been reported in eastern North Carolina, with more rain likely.

A Flash Flood Emergency was issued for portions of eastern North Carolina Friday with already some locations exceeding 30” of rain.

The major problem will be lingering flooding from rivers exceeding their banks. Most rivers that will experience major flooding with crest Wednesday or Thursday. This river flooding will compare to the flooding from Matthew and Floyd.

Many roads and neighborhoods are underwater and will be for several days.

Eventually Florence will move out by early in the week.

Swells generated by Florence have been impacting the southeastern US, including Florida.  While wave heights continue to drop, a high risk of rip currents will prevail.

HELENE AND JOYCE

Helene is becoming extra-tropical. It is near the Azores. Helene will move off to the north in staying over the eastern Atlantic cooler waters. But it will affect Ireland and the U.K. Sunday night and Monday as a strong low pressure system along a cold front.

Tropical storm Joyce will meander around Helene then move northeast in the east Atlantic and never come close to the U.S.

Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.