State of emergency declared in Virginia before the tropical storm

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said the state of emergency Saturday in anticipation of the potential impact of tropical storm Florence.

The governor's office said the order was to mobilize resources in anticipation of the storm. It was also intended to help the state mitigate potential damage and facilitate the process by which Virginia provides assistance to other vulnerable states.

Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center, in its latest opinion, said Florence is expected to strengthen Saturday night from a tropical storm to a full-fledged hurricane.

According to forecasts, the hurricane center announced that Florence would become a dangerous major hurricane near the southeastern coast of the United States.

"The risk of direct impact continues to increase," said the center in a notice at 17h. Saturday.

However, the hurricane center said, "Given the uncertainty" of the storm's forecasts and uncertainty over the period, it was too early to tell when, where and how the storm was going to hit.

He said the east coast, particularly from North Florida to North Carolina, should closely monitor the movements and developments of Florence.

In his statement, Northam noted the uncertainties involved. But he also said forecasts are "increasingly expecting" a major hurricane that could "seriously affect the east coast and the Virginians".

"As a result," he added, "I declare the state of emergency so that we can begin to prepare state property and I encourage Virginians to watch over it. forecasts and to make their own preparations ".

A state of emergency allows the Commonwealth to mobilize resources, including the Virginia National Guard, and put people and equipment in place to help with the response to storms and recovery efforts.

In light of the uncertainties surrounding the storm, emergency management officials in Virginia encouraged the preparation of all residents of the state, Northam said.

The effects could be widely felt, he said, from "strong winds and storm surges in coastal Virginia to significant flooding along the coast and into rivers and streams" in the western areas.

Calling flooding the deadliest and most dangerous aspect of hurricanes, he urged the public to recognize that flash floods can occur at any time.

In addition, the governor asked residents to assemble emergency kits in case rapid evacuations were needed. He also stressed the importance for residents to know their evacuation areas before the impact of the storm is felt.

The warnings about Florence took place against a backdrop of rainy and rainy weather in the Washington area.

While Florence was far away in the Atlantic, dark clouds and heavy rain Friday and Saturday seemed like an appropriate way to announce her possible arrival.

Friday, Washington was flooded with 2.89 inches of rain, measured at Reagan National Airport.

The thunder broke and exploded, lightning broke out and the rain seemed inevitable. In three different hours on Friday, more than half an inch fell in the city.

The 20-inch measured at 5 pm Saturday brought the monthly total to 3.9 inches, well above the normal 0.88 inches at this point in September. More was planned late Saturday and early Sunday.