Update - Hurricane Florence Alert from BDP International

September 13, 2018 - The fierce winds of Hurricane Florence are weakening as it creeps closer to North Carolina but the impact of the immense storm will still be catastrophic for millions of people.

Florence, now a Category 2 hurricane, is forecast to unleash extreme storm surge, possibly historic flooding rains, and damaging winds in the Carolinas beginning Thursday. The storm is expected to slowly move inland, battering much of the US coast for days.

While Florence is no longer considered a major hurricane, its reach has expanded, threatening residents from Georgia to Virginia.

Evacuations for local residents continue as the storm surge has the potential to rise waters up to 13 feet.

There have been over 900 flights canceled along the East Coast in anticipation of the impending storm, and area port closures are in effect.

The safety and well-being of BDP's employees are of the utmost concern. As a reminder, our Charleston, SC, office will be closed until further notice. Employees in the Charleston office will be working remotely to ensure uninterrupted service to our customers. 

Rest assured, BDP International is closely monitoring the status of Hurricane Florence and its potential impact to our customers' supply chains. Should you have any immediate questions or concerns about your cargo, please reach out to your local BDP representative.

September 11 - Powerful storm surges and winds will pose deadly threats, as will long periods of heavy rain. Beyond the Carolinas and Virginia, the threat of inland flooding extends into next week to parts of Tennessee, Georgia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, forecasters said.

The safety and well-being of BDP's employees are of the utmost concern. As such, our Charleston, SC, office will be closed until further notice. Employees in the Charleston office will be working remotely to ensure uninterrupted service to our customers. 

We received notice of port closures, including Wilmington, NC, which will be closed for all cargo effective at 19:00 today, September 11, and the Virginia Port Authority will close the main shipping channel, effective at 06:00 on Wednesday morning, September 12.

Rest assured, BDP International is closely monitoring the status of Hurricane Florence and its potential impact on our customers' supply chains. As the storm's path becomes more apparent in the coming days, we will share updates and alerts, as necessary.

Should you have any immediate questions or concerns about your cargo, please reach out to your local BDP representative. 

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Sources: CNN, BDP International