Photos and videos show the destruction and power of Florence

From water rescues to wildlife in flooded waters.
 By 
Marcus Gilmer
 on 
Photos and videos show the destruction and power of Florence
Volunteer Amber Hersel from the Civilian Crisis Response Team helps rescue 7-year-old Keiyana Cromartie and her family from Florence's flooding in James City, North Carolina. Credit: Getty Images

While Florence is, as of 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, now "just" a tropical storm, it has still ripped the Carolina coast with heavy winds and record-breaking rainfall, causing widespread damage for humans and wildlife alike.

Photos and videos from around the region, and particularly North Carolina, showed the power that Florence contained as it came ashore, leading to rescues across the area.

Mashable Image
Residents of New Bern, NC and their dog are rescued from rising floodwaters caused by Hurricane Florence. Credit: Getty Images
Mashable Image
Rescues were underway even as Florence's heavy rains and winds continued to batter the region. Credit: Getty Images

Wildlife also found itself directly affected by Florence's floodwaters, including these deer seen swimming through neck-deep water.

And dolphins were spotted closer than usual to shore near in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Nearly three feet of rain has fallen on portions of North Carolina, a reported record for the state for rainfall from a single storm.

Mashable Image
Heavy rains and storm surge created destructive flooding of several feet throughout the Carolina coast. Credit: Getty Images
Mashable Image
Boats are stacked up on each other in a marina as a result from Florence in New Bern, North Carolina. Credit: Steve Helber/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Mashable Image
A statue reaches above Florence's floodwaters in North Carolina. Credit: Getty Images
Mashable Image
Sam Parks walks through flooded Water Street as Hurricane Florence comes ashore in Wilmington, North Carolina Credit: JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Mashable Image
Florence's flooding claims a couple of cars and the first story of a house in New Bern, NC. Credit: Getty Images
Mashable Image
Kim Adams wades through waist-deep floodwaters at her home in Southport, North Carolina. Credit: Getty Images

Meanwhile, in South Carolina, at least one gator seemed to be cool with the outer bands of wind and rain that whipped the Myrtle Beach area.

The effects of Florence won't be fading anytime soon, either, as current forecasts have upwards of 15-to-20 additional inches of rain possible for areas of North and South Carolina will Florence's remnants will linger for the next 48 to 72 hours.

Mashable Image
Marcus Gilmer

Marcus Gilmer is Mashable's Assistant Real-Times News Editor on the West Coast, reporting on breaking news from his location in San Francisco. An Alabama native, Marcus earned his BA from Birmingham-Southern College and his MFA in Communications from the University of New Orleans. Marcus has previously worked for Chicagoist, The A.V. Club, the Chicago Sun-Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Stay prepared with $600 off the DJI Power 2000 Portable Power Station
DJI Power 2000 Portable Power Station on green abstract background

Gear up for winter with the DJI Power 2000 portable power station while it's $500 off
the DJI power 2000 portable power station on a pink, coral, and blue colored background

The DJI Power 2000 power station has never been cheaper at Amazon — save $600 right now
dji power 2000 portable power station against an orange and blue patterned background



More in Science
California just launched the country's largest public broadband network
Newsom stands behind a teen on a computer. A group of people cheer and clap behind them.

The Shark FlexStyle is our favorite Dyson Airwrap dupe, and it's $160 off at Amazon right now
The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System against a colorful background.

Amazon's sister site is having a one-day sale, and this Bissell TurboClean deal is too good to skip
A woman using the Bissell TurboClean Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner Mop and Lightweight Wet/Dry Vacuum.

The best smartwatch you've never heard of is on sale for less than $50
Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro in light green with blue and green abstract background

Reddit r/all takes another step into the grave
Reddit logo on phone screen

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!