Governor Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the potential impact of Hurricane Florence.The order issued Saturday helps mobilize resources to prepare for the storm, mitigate any damage and streamline the process Virginia uses to send assistance to other states. Potential impacts could include flooding, high winds and a possible storm surge along the coast.
The governor is urging residents to begin preparing now by assembling an emergency kit with food, water, medication, pet supplies and important documents. Florence is expected to make landfall along the Carolina coast later this week.
Here's an Emergency Kit Home Checklist.
More on preparing for the hurricane.