Eerie photos show empty supermarket shelves and desolate streets before Hurricane Florence hits

Advertisement
Eerie photos show empty supermarket shelves and desolate streets before Hurricane Florence hits

Hurricane Florence gas station

Anna Mehler Paperny/Reuters

Advertisement

Hurricane Florence began dumping rain on the North Carolina coast Thursday morning, with the storm's center expected to hit the East Coast by the evening.

Evacuations have been ordered in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, with residents bracing themselves for up to 40 inches of rain and 13 feet of storm surge. The hurricane's winds have slowed to a Category 2 level, but Florence remains deadly as it approaches.

As millions of people in the Carolinas seek shelter before the storm, streets have emptied, store shelves have been cleaned out, and gas stations have run out of fuel. The following photos show residents' preparation efforts before the hurricane's arrival.

{{}}

Roads that are normally busy are now desolate after people vacated their homes.

Roads that are normally busy are now desolate after people vacated their homes.

Many businesses are closed and boarded up, particularly in the Carolinas, which are facing the most serious threat.

Many businesses are closed and boarded up, particularly in the Carolinas, which are facing the most serious threat.
Advertisement

Coastal cities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia received evacuation orders as Florence moves toward the US.

Coastal cities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia received evacuation orders as Florence moves toward the US.

Over 5 million people live in areas under hurricane watches or warnings, according to the National Weather Service.

Over 5 million people live in areas under hurricane watches or warnings, according to the National Weather Service.
Advertisement

People have been stocking up on food for the past few days, leaving entire shelves empty in grocery stores.

People have been stocking up on food for the past few days, leaving entire shelves empty in grocery stores.

Gas stations are shutting down, and some gas pumps have been wrapped with plastic.

Gas stations are shutting down, and some gas pumps have been wrapped with plastic.
Advertisement

Here, patio furniture has been placed in a pool to keep it from flying away during the storm.

Here, patio furniture has been placed in a pool to keep it from flying away during the storm.

Some people living by the beach have surrounded their homes with sand bags.

Some people living by the beach have surrounded their homes with sand bags.
Advertisement

Many buildings have been boarded up ahead of the hurricane's arrival.

Many buildings have been boarded up ahead of the hurricane's arrival.

Some of the boarded up windows include information about nearby shelters.

Some of the boarded up windows include information about nearby shelters.
Advertisement
Next StoryHurricane Florence is starting to hit the Carolinas, bringing winds up to 105 mph - here's how it compares to other destructive storms in US history