As Hurricane Florence’s threat to the Carolinas and Virginia became clearer, authorities and residents ramped up storm preparations today, including the first mandatory evacuations.
Many residents in the Carolinas and Virginia seemed to be taking the warning seriously. Customers descended in droves on supermarkets and home improvement stores to stock up on supplies for the hurricane.
The governors of North and South Carolina and Virginia have declared states of emergency to free up resources to prepare for, and respond to, the impacts of Florence. President Donald Trump will not make a scheduled campaign trip to Mississippi on Friday and will instead monitor the storm.
North Carolina Emergency Management experts worked to determine where to place resources ahead of the storm.
Department of Transportation employees are preparing hurricane response equipment, such as bulldozers, motor graders and chainsaws and topping off fuel sites, according to a news release. They were also contacting local contractors and equipment providers to make sure resources are available to assist if needed.
FEMA officials will be heading to South Carolina on Monday, state leaders announced. Key local and state agencies have been notified to be ready to respond if the need arises, a press release noted.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Saturday, allowing the Commonwealth to “mobilize resources, including the Virginia National Guard, and pre-position people and equipment to assist in storm response and recovery efforts.”
