Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency for 66 counties in North Carolina Wednesday morning ahead of Hurricane Michael.
The storm made landfall in the Florida Panhandle early Wednesday sustaining 155 mph winds, just shy of a Category 5. The hurricane is expected to move north toward Georgia and the Carolinas.
North Carolinians will start feeling strong winds Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Cooper also issued a tropical storm warning for six counties in southeastern area of the state — Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Bladen, Columbus and Robeson.
The winds could bring down trees and yank the tarps from the roofs of homes damaged by Hurricane Florence last month, Cooper warned.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
