Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has expanded the state of emergency to nine more inland counties ahead of Hurricane Dorian.
He said on Twitter Wednesday morning that the decision should help facilitate storm response and recovery.
There are now 21 Georgia counties under an emergency declaration.
Meanwhile, the state’s southern coastal counties are warning residents to stay off the roads.
Hurricane Dorian has sped up and officials expect its effects to start being felt in Georgia as early as 11 a.m.
The outer rain bands are already reaching into the Peach State.
Brendan Rivers can be reached at brivers@wjct.org, 904-358-6396 or on Twitter at @BrendanRivers.