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.

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

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.

Photos: Hurricane Florence batters Carolinas

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