At this time (2 pm on Thursday, Sept. 13), Hertford County Emergency Operations Center is activated.

Some rain bands have starting to come through the Hertford County area.

There are no significant changes to the earlier predictions for Hertford County… Tropical Storm Force wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible. Rainfall of 4-to-6 inches is expected in the county.

A Tropical Strom Warning remains in effect.

Currently, both shelters in Ahoskie and Murfreesboro are open with 74 people sheltered.

Reports of up to 45 power outages near Harrellsville at this time.

REMINDER: A countywide curfew goes into effect tonight (Thursday). The curfew – which also impacts the towns of Ahoskie, Murfreesboro and Winton – is nightly from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. It will remain in place until further notice.

Hertford County EOC has reported no emergency response to date associated with Florence.

In Northampton County, local government offices will remain closed on Friday, Sept. 14. Public Safety and other essential departments will continue to operate on their normal schedules.

Gates County is reporting that its local government offices – with the exception of those dealing with public safety / emergency response – will be closed on Friday, Sept. 14.

At 2 p.m., Hurricane Florence was still moving towards the southeastern North Carolina coast. Winds are at 105 mph with higher gusts. Florence still remains a dangerous storm.