ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Governor Larry Hogan has issued a State of Emergency for Maryland in anticipation of Hurricane Florence.
"Our state is taking every precaution, and I urge all Marylanders to do the same. Stay tuned to your local news stations for the latest updates, listen to state and local authorities, and most importantly, use common sense," said Governor Hogan.
Hogan stated in a Monday afternoon news conference that although they are uncertain of the storm's effect on the State of Maryland, they will continue to track its direction due to its potentially catastrophic and life-threatening nature.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Florence has been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane. Its maximum winds are 140 mph and weather experts say it will continue to grow as it makes its way to the East Coast.
The forecast shows that the rains, tropical storm force winds, and flooding could impact the state by Thursday.
Hogan has directed state agencies to be on standby in response to the effects of this storm. This includes the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Maryland National Guard, the National Weather Service, and the National Hurricane Service.
Shelters are on standby and the state's utility services are prepared for the potential power outages.
