Hurricane Florence is now a Category 3 storm and is expected to grow more powerful

Hurricane Florence has strengthened into a Category 3 storm as it barrels over the Atlantic putting it on track to hit the Carolinas some time on Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory. Florence has maximum sustained winds of 115 miles an hour and is moving west at 13 miles an hour. "Further strengthening is anticipated, and Florence is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday," said the advisory. The governors of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia have declared a state of emergency and urged residents to batten down the hatches and stock up on supplies of essentials such as food, water and batteries.

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