Hurricanes

Record rainfall: Some saw almost 3 feet from Florence

Hurricane Florence caused a record amount of rainfall in North Carolina and has created the highest rainfall total for any tropical system to ever strike the East Coast, according to CNN.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Hurricane Florence caused a record amount of rainfall in North Carolina and has created the highest rainfall total for any tropical system to ever strike the East Coast of the United States, according to CNN.

The highest totals so far were measured in Elizabethtown, where 35.93 inches accumulated over four days. Swansboro saw more than 33 inches of rain, its highest total since Hurricane Floyd in 1999, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

Rainfall totals in the town of Gurganus near Jacksonville showed just over 30 inches of rain, with the Hoffman Forest gage measuring 29 inches. Oak Island measured 26.98 inches of rain, while Whiteville saw 25.91 inches.

Wilmington has see record rainfall for the year already

Florence caused more than 26 inches of rain to fall in the Wilmington area. So far this year, the coastal city has seen more than 86 inches or rain – almost double the normal yearly average.

In Fayetteville, the rainfall was estimated Monday at 15.8 inches. Raleigh saw about 6 inches of rain from the storm. Southwestern Wake County saw about 10 inches of rain.

The significant rainfall has triggered dangerous flooding. There are currently more than 1,000 search and rescue personnel working in the state with 36 helicopters and more than 200 boats.

Estimated rainfall totals for Hurricane Florence from the National Weather Service.

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