Florence In Photos: Devastation And Bravery

Hurricane Florence, now downgraded to a tropical storm, slowed to the speed of a casual walk when it hit the North Carolina coast early Friday, which was good news for areas further north, where the storm had been headed at a good clip. The pace of the storm was bad news, though, for the areas in its path, as they continued to be hit with torrential rains expected to reach 40 inches in some areas.

The storm is expected to drench the Carolinas for days. Here are some photos of the hurricane's start.

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While residents on the East Coast spent nearly the entire last week preparing for the Hurricane, the storm ultimately took a path directly into the southeast portion of North Carolina. Atlantic Beach was one of the areas hit the hardest. Above, portions of a boat dock and boardwalk. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Some areas like New Bern, as seen above, experienced devastating flooding even before the eye of the storm made landfall. Residents wade through deep floodwater to retrieve belongings from the Trent Court public housing apartments after the Neuse River went over its banks. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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By nightfall, some residents were left alone to fend for themselves. Above, Michael Nelson floats in a boat made from a metal tub and fishing floats. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images).

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In addition to the Neuse River overflowing its banks, The Trent River has begun swell up onto land as well. Pure devastation can be seen above at this neighborhood in River Bend, North Carolina where residential homes are already getting destroyed in the storm's path. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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From medical professionals to law enforcement officials, volunteers of the like have been flocking to aid areas that have already been ravaged by Hurricane Florence. Above, volunteer Amber Hersel from the Civilian Crisis Response Team helps rescue 7-year-old Keiyana Cromartie and her family from their flooded home in James City. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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It took a team of rescue workers from Township No. 7 Fire Department and volunteers from the Civilian Crisis Response Team to come together and rescue this woman and her dog above from their flooded James City home as well. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Hundreds of people have been forced to call for emergency rescues. More rescue workers from Township No. 7 Fire Department and volunteers from the Civilian Crisis Response Team are seen above using a truck to move rescued locals to safety. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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A severely damaged awning is seen here at a restaurant in Myrtle Beach. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Winds have been so strong in some areas that grown trees are lripping up from the ground, as evident above in the town of Wilmington, North Carolina. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

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Firefighters try to gain access to 3 people in a Wilmington home that a large tree fell on after Hurricane Florence hit the area. Below that, rescue personnel are seen rushing to save one of the trapped citizens while an unidentified women in the third photo down reacts to the site. (Photos by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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A fire truck drives past a large tree that was uprooted in the center of town. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Searches for those stranded are also already underway, as seen above where members of the North Carolina National Guard 105th Military Police Battalion from Asheville search in Fairfield Harbour. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Members of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 4 from Oakland, California, arrived at the flooded neighborhood in Fairfield Harbour. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Wind and water from the storm have damaged the highway leading off Harkers Island, North Carolina. (Jordan Guthrie via AP)

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Over in Oriental, North Carolina (one of nine incorporated municipalities in Pamlico County) a boat is seen wedged in trees. (Angie Propst via AP)

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Swansboro, another town in North Carolina, was flooded and battered by high winds. (AP Photo/Tom Copeland)

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To help victims of Hurricane Florence, here are some options.

Lead Image: Russ Lewis covers his eyes from a gust of wind and a blast of sand as Hurricane Florence approaches Myrtle Beach, S.C., Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. (AP Photo/David Goldman)