Hurricane Florence Becomes First Major Storm of the Season Florence has become the first major br hurricane of the 2018 season. Meteorologists say the storm has maximum br sustained winds of 120 mph, br making it a Category 3 hurricane. The current five-day forecast does not show Florence affecting land. As of Wednesday morning, Florence was located approximately 1,440 miles br east of Bermuda. The National Hurricane Center adds she is moving at about 13 mph heading northwest. Currently, Florence contains hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 15 miles from br the center. Forecasters said the storm is still strengthening.