Images from Hurricane Florence as it batters the Carolinas

Volunteers from the Civilian Crisis Response Team help rescue three children from their flooded home in James City, N.C.

By Times staff

Sept. 14, 2018 8:25 AM PT

North Carolina began suffering the brunt of Hurricane Florence’s destructive power Friday morning as the storm made landfall along the coastline, sending ocean water surging over streets and into homes.

Rising waters have already tormented the town of New Bern, located where the Neuse River comes in from the Pamlico Sound about halfway down the coast. About 150 people were waiting to be rescued Friday morning, according to the city.

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From above

This NOAA/RAMMB satellite image taken at 12:00 UTC on September 14, 2018, shows Hurricane Florence making landfall on US east coast. - Florence smashed into the US East Coast Friday with howling winds, torrential rains and life-threatening storm surges as emergency crews scrambled to rescue hundreds of people stranded in their homes by flood waters. Forecasters warned of catastrophic flooding and other mayhem from the monster storm, which is only Category 1 but physically sprawling and dangerous. (Photo by HO / NOAA/RAMMB / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / NOAA/RAMMB" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTSHO/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

Satellite image taken on September 14, 2018, shows Hurricane Florence making landfall on the east coast.

Taking shelter

Mitchell Floor, left, holds a flashlight as Comfort Suites general manager Beth Bratz, center, and employee Dee Branch go to make coffee as Hurricane Florence rages in Wilmington, N.C.

TOPSHOT - A child sits on a single mattress at a Hurricane Florence evacuation shelter at Conway High School on September 13, 2018 in Conway, South Carolina. - Hurricane Florence edged closer to the east coast of the US Thursday, with tropical-force winds and rain already lashing barrier islands just off the North Carolina mainland. The huge storm weakened to a Category 2 hurricane overnight, but forecasters warned that it still packed a dangerous punch, 110 mile-an-hour (175 kph) winds and torrential rains. (Photo by Alex Edelman / AFP)ALEX EDELMAN/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

A child sits on a mattress at a Hurricane Florence evacuation shelter at Conway High School in Conway, S.C.

Storm surge

Waves slam the Oceana Pier & Pier House Restaurant in Atlantic Beach, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018 as Hurricane Florence approaches the area.

RIVER BEND, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: The Trent River (background) overflows its banks and floods a neighborhood during Hurricane Florence September 13, 2018 in River Bend, North Carolina. Some parts of River Bend and the neighboring New Bern could be flooded with a possible 9-foot storm surge as the Category 2 hurricane approaches the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The Trent River (background) overflows its banks and floods a neighborhood during Hurricane Florence in River Bend, N.C.

ATLANTIC BEACH, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: Portions of a boat dock and boardwalk are destroyed by powerful wind and waves as Hurricane Florence arrives September 13, 2018 in Atlantic Beach, United States. Coastal cities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia are under evacuation orders as the Category 2 hurricane approaches the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX *** ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

Portions of a boat dock and boardwalk are destroyed by powerful wind and waves as Hurricane Florence arrives in Atlantic Beach. Coastal cities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia are under evacuation orders.

NEW BERN, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: Michael Nelson floats in a boat made from a metal tub and fishing floats after the Neuse River went over its banks and flooded his street during Hurricane Florence September 13, 2018 in New Bern, North Carolina. Some parts of New Bern could be flooded with a possible 9-foot storm surge as the Category 2 hurricane approaches the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX *** ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

Michael Nelson floats in a boat made from a metal tub and fishing floats after the Neuse River went over its banks and flooded his street during Hurricane Florence in New Bern, N.C.

The elements

Kite Boarder Dimitri Maramenides heads out next to Jennette's Pier in Nags Head, N.C., as Hurricane Florence makes landfall further south on Friday, Sept, 14, 2018. (L. Todd Spencer/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

FAIRFIELD HARBOUR, NC - SEPTEMBER 14: Members of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 4 from Oakland, California, search a flooded neighborhood for evacuees during Hurricane Florence September 14, 2018 in Fairfield Harbour, North Carolina. Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 storm and flooding from the heavy rain is forcing hundreds of people to call for emergency rescues in the communities around New Bern, North Carolina, which sits at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

Members of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 4 from Oakland, Calif., search a flooded neighborhood for evacuees during Hurricane Florence in Fairfield Harbour, N.C.