Hurricane Florence has quickly strengthened to a powerful Category 4 storm Monday as it takes aim at the East Coast, packing maximum sustained winds near 130 mph.
The storm will likely make landfall Thursday and governors of several Southeast states are urging residents to prepare.
The storm threatens to bring devastating storm surge, powerful winds and catastrophic flooding from Virginia to the Carolinas.
Rainfall may reach 2 feet in some areas.
Inland flooding could move into the central and western Carolinas and even West Virginia.
“We here in North Carolina are bracing for a hard hit,” North Carolina Gov. Ray Cooper said at a news conference Monday.
The state has issued mandatory evacuations.
“This storm is strong and it’s getting stronger,” Cooper said.
The state is “taking Hurricane Florence seriously and you should too. Get ready now,” he said. “The best safety plan is preparation and common sense.”
An evacuation order for visitors and residents on North Carolina’s Hatteras Island is in effect while those in other parts of Dare County will be under an evacuation order beginning Tuesday.
Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina have all declared states of emergency ahead of Florence’s arrival.
“We are preparing for the worst but hoping for the best,” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said at a news conference Saturday.
“I encourage Virginians to monitor forecasts and make their own preparations now,” Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam added in a statement.
Florence is just one of three hurricanes churning in the Atlantic Ocean.
Hurricane Isaac is aimed at the Caribbean and may hit near Dominica Thursday as a Category 1 hurricane.
Isaac is forecast to stay south of Puerto Rico but may bring some rain.
In the eastern Pacific Ocean, forecasters are keeping a close watch on Tropical Storm Paul and Hurricane Olivia. Paul is not expected to make landfall but Olivia could threaten Hawaii.
Olivia, now a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 85 mph, is forecast to weaken as it heads toward the Hawaii.
Olivia is forecast to pass over the islands Wednesday as a tropical storm.
ABC News’ Jason Volack and Chris Donato contributed to this report.
