Georgia governor declares state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Florence
© Associated Press
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal delivers the State of the State address on the House floor at the state Capitol in Atlanta, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) on Wednesday declared a state of emergency for the entire state as Hurricane Florence takes aim at the southeast.
The latest projections of Florence, currently a Category 4 storm, show it shifting south putting Georgia in its possible path.
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Video: 'We'll Handle It': Trump Releases Video Message On Hurricane Florence (GeoBeats)

Deal cited the storm's "forecasted southward track" in a statement declaring a state of emergency.
"The state is mobilizing all available resources to ensure public safety ahead of Hurricane Florence," Deal said in the statement. "In light of the storm's forecasted southward track after making landfall, I encourage Georgians to be prepared for the inland effects of the storm as well as the ensuing storm surge in coastal areas."
President Trump on Wednesday tweeted that Florence "may now be dipping a bit South" and hitting a portion of Georgia.
"Hurricane Florence may now be dipping a bit south and hitting a portion of the Great State of Georgia," he wrote. "Be ready, be prepared!"
Hurricane Florence may now be dipping a bit south and hitting a portion of the Great State of Georgia. Be ready, be prepared!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 12, 2018
The governors of Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina have also declared a state of emergency for their states in preparation for Florence's arrival.
Video: Hurricane Florence from space (Reuters)

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The hurricane is expected to make landfall somewhere in the Carolinas early Friday. Residents in some parts of the Carolinas have been ordered to evacuate.
FEMA on Tuesday said the storm is likely to cause "massive damage," with the potential to cause deaths.