My stepfather's sister lives in Wilmington, right where it's supposed to hit. He tried to call earlier and he's not getting an answer, but I think they could be evacuating. She's pretty smart, so I'm reasonably sure she'll do the right thing and leave if they say she should, though Wilmington is only under a voluntary evacuation order, presently.
My brother lives about 50 miles southwest of Richmond, VA, but since the path has changed I think he'll be just fine.
I found out early this morning that she'd evacuated and went southwest to her father in law's home. Then, of course, the track of Florence moves south. SMH. Still, she's further inland, so that's good.
I also found out early this morning that my former sister in law lives in Wilmington. Small world. I knew she'd moved south last year from her home in Northern Virginia, but I didn't know to where. She's evacuated, as well.
It looks like the track through VA is now further west than it was, so that's good for my brother and his family. I don't know how far east the rain will stretch by the time it gets to southern VA, but I think he's dodged a bullet. Still a lot of rain, I've no doubt, but nothing like it was going to be.
I'm certainly glad that it's weakened, as well. There will still be an awful storm surge, which is the worst part of a storm, but at least the wind won't be as bad as it was. Still strong, but not nearly as strong. :)
Edit: I see from the rainfall forecast on the NOAA site you posted that my brother's area is now to get 4" or under. :) :) :)
Hopefully everyone will be OK. I'm watching live coverage and NC is pretty bad right now and the storm hasn't even made landfall. It's nuts.
