The impact from Hurricane Florence is expected to be felt in in Lexington County Friday.

Hurricane Florence has been downgraded to a Category 1 storm with 90 mph winds. It is on a path to move west Friday into South Carolina. The storm Friday morning was expected to make landfall near Wilmington, North Carolina. The latest information on the storm was released at 5 a.m. Friday.

As a result of the hurricane, a tropical storm watch and a flash flood watch, have been issued for Richland and Lexington counties, according to the National Weather Service in Columbia.

The counties’ residents are likely to begin to feel the effects of Hurricane Florence Friday. The worst part of the storm will hit over the weekend. According to the latest track, the storm is predicted to bring 3-6 inches of rainfall, and 25 to 35 mph winds with gusts up to 45 mph, according to NWS. The strongest winds are expected during the day Saturday

“The strong wind gusts may down trees and power lines. The heavy rainfall will increase the risk of trees uprooting and toppling. The strong winds will also blow around any loose objects, lawn furniture and trash cans.” – NWS Columbia news release.