Hurricane Florence updates: Category 1 storm makes landfall

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Here's the very latest on Hurricane Florence which made landfall in the Carolinas just after 5:30 a.m. Friday.

Florence is just inland near Cape Fear in North Carolina -- continuing to bring life-threatening storm surges and hurricane-force wind gusts.

The Category 1 storm has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. It is currently meandering WSW. Meteorologist Corey Simma says Florence will potentially maintain hurricane strength through the evening Friday.

Forecasters said conditions will deteriorate as the storm pushes ashore early Friday near the North Carolina-South Carolina line and makes its way slowly inland.

A major concern: life-threatening storm surge and flash flooding.

Photos: Hurricane Florence batters Carolinas

The outer bands, wind and rain have been lashing the coast since Thursday -- including life-threatening storm surge.