Hurricane Florence had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane, according to the 11 p.m. Wednesday report from the National Hurricane Center.
The NHC said the storm is still expected to be “an extremely dangerous, life-threatening hurricane.”

It is forecast to move from the coast to the Columbia metro area, according to the National Weather Service. in Columbia.

A tropical storm watch “is in effect for Chesterfield, Lee, Sumter and Clarendon counties,” according to the NWS office in Columbia. A tropical storm watch would indicate “sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph. ” The NWS in Columbia, could add more Midlands counties to the warning area. The NWS Columbia also reported there’s a 60 percent chance for tropical storm force winds in the central Midlands.

There is also the threat of large amounts of rainfall.
The Midlands could get 6-10 inches of rain through the weekend, according to NWS Columbia. All the rain brings the potential for flooding.