North Carolina's governor has urged residents to get prepared for Hurricane Florence as the state braces for a possible direct strike.
Gov. Roy Cooper warns of three potential threats: ocean surges along the coast, strong winds and island flooding. He said North Carolina is "bracing for a hard hit" in what forecasters say will be a statewide event.
“The forecast places North Carolina in the bull's-eye of Hurricane Florence," Cooper says. "And the storm is rapidly getting stronger."
Evacuations of coastal communities began Monday and are expected to continue over the next few days.
Cooper said 200 National Guard troops have already been activated. He's also asked President Donald Trump for a disaster declaration so the state can get federal help as quickly as possible.