Photos: The massive scale of Hurricane Florence, seen from space

Hurricane Florence, seen from the International Space Station on Sept. 10.
Hurricane Florence, seen from the International Space Station on Sept. 10.
Image: NASA via AP
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Hurricane Florence, currently a Category 4 storm that could make landfall along the southeastern US coast later this week, was spotted by the crew of the International Space Station yesterday.

It would have been hard to miss. With a diameter of about 500 miles across (800 kilometers) according to USA Today, Florence is larger than Hurricane Katrina. In 2005, Katrina devastated the Louisiana and Mississippi coast.

Hurricane Florence
Hurricane Florence, seen from the International Space Station on Sept. 10.
Image: NASA via AP

On Sept. 10, Donald Trump declared a state of emergency in North and South Carolina in response to the oncoming storm.

A satellite image shows the gathering storm nearly big enough to cover the entire state of Florida.

Florence on the right, with Florida on the left for comparison, seen on Monday (Sept. 10)
Florence on the right, with Florida on the left for comparison, seen on Monday (Sept. 10)
Image: NOAA via AP

As millions in Virginia and the Carolinas prepare for the coming storm, these photos provide a sobering sense of scale.