North Carolina, Georgia declare state of emergency as Idalia approaches 

North Carolina and Georgia have each declared a state of emergency ahead of potential impacts from Hurricane Idalia, which is expected to slam into Florida’s Gulf Coast Wednesday.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) declared the emergency Monday to activate the emergency operations plan in the state, waive transportation rules to aid the transport of necessities and assist the agriculture industry, a press release from his office stated.

“We are continuing to monitor Idalia’s course and its potential impacts on our state and it’s critical to make sure we are fully prepared,” Cooper said in a statement. “It is important for North Carolinians to gather emergency kits and prepare for the storm before it’s too late. We also want to make sure our farmers are able to protect their crops.”

Idalia strengthened to a hurricane Tuesday morning, and the National Hurricane Center is predicting that it will likely become a Category 3 hurricane before it hits Florida. Forecasters are warning that the storm is expected to become an “extremely dangerous major hurricane” before making landfall Wednesday, and it could bring life-threatening storm surges, dangerous flooding and hurricane-force winds to the state.

Forecasters at the Hurricane Center said the storm will begin to head northward toward the Carolinas by Thursday.

North Carolina officials warned in the press release that the state could see “several hazards,” including flooding, Wednesday and Thursday. They also urged residents to prepare for the storm, including by heeding warnings, gathering emergency supplies and avoiding driving through flooded roadways.

“We are working together with our local jurisdictions to ensure we have necessary resources staged to support emergency response needs,” North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray said in a statement. “We are grateful for the partnership to protect our communities, the 10.6 million North Carolinians, and visitors.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) issued a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon in preparation for the storm. The press release stated that the state could see 40 to 50 mph wind gusts, noting that those counties under a Hurricane Warning could see wind gusts up to 80 mph.

“We are taking every precaution ahead of Hurricane Idalia’s landfall tomorrow, and I am taking this additional executive action to ensure state assets are ready to respond” Kemp said in a statement. “Georgians in the expected impact area can and should take necessary steps to ensure their safety and that of their families. We are well positioned to respond to whatever Idalia may bring.”

Tornadoes and heavy rainfall are also possible with this storm, Kemp’s office said. The Georgia coast could see a 2 to 3 foot storm surge on Wednesday, according to the release.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) also declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm in his state, where many counties are facing mandatory evacuations due to the potential for severe flooding and dangerous storm surges.

— Updated 2:31 p.m.