Hurricane Florence has begun battering it's way through the North Carolina coastline with heavy rain and high winds in what people fear could lead to the deaths of 'a lot of people'.
Officials have warned that the life-threatening storm could come with maximum sustained wind speeds of 90mph and carries a risk of 'catastrophic' flooding.
On Thursday evening, the Neuse River burst its banks which caused rapid flooding in New Bern, North Carolina, forcing residents to flee as the entire city lost power.
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There is around 156,068 people that have lost power and police have suspended their services in Morehead City and other coastal cities, warning any residents who remain in the evacuation zone that they will be without emergency services until the storm passes.
More than a million people along the coastlines of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia have been ordered to evacuate.
One resident, 67-year-old Linda Smith, told the MailOnline: "We're a little worried about the storm surge so we came down to see what the river is doing now.
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"I am frightened about what's coming. We just want prayers from everyone."
According to the BBC, floodwaters may ride up to 13ft (4 metres) and Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator, Brock Long, explained: "So this is a very dangerous storm.
"Inland flooding kills a lot of people unfortunately and that's what we're about to see. Your time is running out. The ocean is going to start rising."
He added that people living near rivers, streams and lowland areas in the region were most at risk.
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Over 1,400 flights have been cancelled, according to FlightAware.com, as most of the coastal region's airports are closed to ride out the storm.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper warned people: "Today the threat becomes a reality."
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