needs to prepare is in the process of doing so or is completed doing so so and is following recommendations and evacuations. you expect that the hurricane will slow down as it approaches the coast. that s bad news because not only does it prolong the wind and the storm surge along the coast, but it also allows the storm to dump more rainfall. we have a very large area of rainfall totals expected of 5 t, including areas that could see 20 inches, locally isolated spot 40 inches. we are expecting flooding along the coast from the storm surge destructive winds, and significant in land flooding from rainfall. this is a big risk coming into the next couple of days. the hazards will be increasing in the conditions will be deteriorating tomorrow. by tomorrow night and early friday, they will be near their worst along the coast. at the national hurricane center, i am ed rappaport.