The National Hurricane Center says Florence is now a major hurricane.
"Data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that Florence has continued to rapidly stregthen and has maximum sustained winds near 130 mph."
The system is expected to keep getting stronger for the next few days.
"Further strengthening is anticipated, and Florence is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday," according to an NHC advisory.
Forecaster fear Florence will become a category 5 hurricane.
Landfall is currently expected near Wilmington, North Carolina on Thursday. The cone of uncertainty covers South Carolina, North Carolina and part of Virginia for possible landfall.
"On the forecast track, the center of Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday, and approach the coast of South Carolina or North Carolina on Thursday."
The Hurricance Center says the surf is already picking up along the coast and will continue to grow.
"Swells generated by Florence are affecting Bermuda and portions of the U.S. East Coast. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions."
The Carolinas are preparing for the potential of catastrophic damage from a landfalling major hurricane.
