Johnnie Mercer's Fishing Pier juts into the Atlantic Ocean two days before Hurricane Florence is expected to hit Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. EPA
Ocean Boulevard empty of tourists after evacuations in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Reuters
Emmett West pulls his boat from a nearby marina to secure it at his home in Morehead City, North Carolina. AP
A sailor heaves line in preparation ahead of Hurricane Florence at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia. Reuters
Russell Meadows, left, helps neighbour Rob Muller board up his home in Morehead City, North Carolina. AP
Chuck Ledford and his daughter Misty seek shelter at Emma B Trask Middle School in Wilmington, North Carolina. EPA
A person sits on the beach after people evacuated in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. EPA
Workers secure plywood to business exteriors in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Bloomberg
Plywood protects windows and doors of a property in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Bloomberg
People leave their homes in Wilmington, North Carolina. EPA
US braced for Hurricane Florence - in pictures
The category four storm will hit the Carolinas' coast later this week, with catastrophic results expected