The power of nature is about to show its unforgiving force in the U.S. yet again.
About a million people in South Carolina have been ordered to evacuate as an extremely powerful hurricane barrels toward the state.
Ro Aram reports.
Hurricane Florence has turned into a Category 4 storm and is expected to make landfall on Thursday.
Weather experts say it has the potential to be the most powerful storm to take aim at the U.S. mainland this year.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has ordered the mandatory evacuation of the state's entire coastline, which spans eight counties.
Evacuations are to start at noon on Tuesday, local time, and the directions of several lanes on four main roads are to be reversed to help with the mass exodus.
Neighboring North Carolina and Virginia have declared states of emergency, with evacuation orders already in place.
Florence is packing winds of 209 kilometers per hour and is expected to gain strength as it strikes the Carolinas.
Forecasters say the storm could reach the highest strength reading of Category 5 upon landfall with the risk of life-threatening impacts.
Along with blasting winds, Florence is expected to bring flooding to coastal and inland regions due to prolonged heavy rain.
The U.S. military said it is sending about 750 personnel to North Carolina to coordinate with federal and state partners and provide support.
The U.S. Navy said it was sending nearly 30 ships from coastal Virginia out of port to ride out the storm.
Meanwhile, President Trump has cancelled plans for a rally on Friday in Mississippi because of the hurricane.
Ro Aram, Arirang News.