Gov. Roy Cooper has declared a State of Emergency for North Carolina as Hurricane Isaias targets the state.

The storm could impact North Carolina as early as Monday.

Gov. Cooper says evacuees are asked to make shelters a last resort due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cooper also says it’s difficult to prepare for a hurricane in the midst of a pandemic, but the state has been making those emergency preparations while keeping the pandemic in mind.

Col. Glenn McNeill, the Commander of the State Highway Patrol, suggests residents monitor local media for the latest updates on Hurricane Isaias.

McNeill also urged North Carolinians to keep the state’s emergency phone lines open for true emergencies.

Visit ReadyNC.org to find a complete list of items to keep in your emergency preparedness kit.