An aerial view shows a breach in the Duke Energy's Sutton Steam Plant's ash pond allowing ash to flow into the Cape Fear River and Lake Sutton. Florence began as a disturbance but it gained strength and crossed the threshold from tropical storm to hurricane in a matter of days. Later, it became a fearsome Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 mph. Although Florence made landfall near Wrightsville, North Carolina, slowed down, it caused heavy rainfall and devastating flooding. The storm flooded the state shutting down power plants, breaching coal ash ponds and flooding hog and chicken farms causing extensive environmental damage. The Duke Energy - Sutton Steam Plant near Wilmington, NC.