North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper warned residents to adhere to evacuation orders and finish last-minute storm preparations as the coast of the Carolinas braces for Hurricane Dorian, a Category 3 storm whose center is projected to come within 40 miles off Charleston, S.C.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said at 5 a.m. eastern this morning the Category 3 storm’s maximum sustained winds were at 115 mph. Dorian was located about 80 miles southeast of Charleston, S.C., moving north at 8 mph.

The hurricane was a Category 3 storm Tuesday, then dropped to Category 2 before regaining strength Wednesday night, according to the NHC. Hurricane-force winds were extending outward up to 60 miles from the center, while tropical storm force winds were extending outward up to 195 miles.

The hurricane is expected to hit Charleston by midday today. Hurricane force winds are expected the thrash the coast by early today. Forecasters predicted high tide of about 10 feet in the city by 2 a.m. The streets flood there at 7 feet.

A federal state of emergency was issued in North Carolina. Nearly 8,000 troops across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina and nearly 400 North Carolina National Guard soldiers are also positioned in armories across the state.

Cooper issued a mandatory state evacuation for barrier islands along the entire North Carolina coast that went into effect 8 a.m. yesterday. More than two dozen counties have declared states of emergency.

A flash flood watch is in effect in parts of central and all of eastern North Carolina through tomorrow. Shelters are opening to accommodate evacuees. A large state shelter opened last night in Durham—an inland city located adjacent to state’s capital, Raleigh.

The state’s medical examiner’s office announced the first storm-related fatality in North Carolina. An 85-year-old in Columbus County died after falling off a ladder while preparing his house for the arrival of Hurricane Dorian.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in 21 counties Wednesday morning and ordered residents to evacuate amid high winds, rain and slight flooding. Kemp expanded a state of emergency to include nine additional counties by the afternoon and reopened highways to expedite access for rescuers, supplies and equipment after the hurricane passes.

While Dorian continues to pound the southeast coast, a new storm system came off the African coast this morning. It is expected to turn into a tropical system in the next day or so as it tracks westward.