“We are deploying our National Guard throughout North Carolina to assist with emergency storm response,” said Easley. “We have five thousand soldiers available if needed. The National Guard was critical in our recovery from Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and they are here for us again now with Isabel.”

The Governor and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) are recommending that people in eastern North Carolina living in manufactured housing, trailers, campers or tents should seek safe shelter because of the danger of strong, damaging winds expected in advance of Isabel. Drivers of tractor-trailer trucks, motor homes, delivery vans or busses are also urged to use extreme caution, as these vehicles may be blown over by strong wind gusts.

This area includes Eastern North Carolina where up to 20,000 mobile homes are in the expected path of hurricane force winds.

“Currently, Isabel appears to be primarily a wind event,” said Easley. “Residents should take extreme caution, monitor weather reports and move themselves and their families out of harm’s way. It is clear that the entire North Carolina coast will be impacted by this storm. Tropical storm force winds are expected to begin tonight. Once the winds start, the time for preparation will have passed. It is critical that all residents complete their preparations this afternoon.”

People living or working in low-lying areas, particularly near rivers and sounds, should move to higher ground prior to Isabel's arrival. Isabel is expected to produce a large storm surge of about 11 feet. Residents are warned that water can rise rapidly, cutting off escape to higher ground and safety.

In addition, Gov. Easley has activated a 24-hour, bilingual emergency hotline to provide information before, during and after the hurricane. The hotline will provide updated weather information, highway closings, sheltering information, feeding sites, evacuation orders and will also serve as a referral line for citizens in need of help following the event. Once the need for donations has been assessed, citizens may use the hotline to make contributions.

For English and Spanish citizens: 888-835-9966

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 877-877-1765

At 11 p.m. on Tuesday, a Hurricane Warning was issued for the entire North Carolina Coast. Maximum sustained winds are now near 110 miles per hour. Tropical storm force winds are expected to begin about 9 p.m. today. Hurricane force winds are expected to begin near 6 a.m. on Thursday and continue through the evening.

Currituck County has fully activated its Emergency Operations Center. Ocracoke Island, Currituck County, and Hyde County have issued State of Emergency declarations. Tyrrell County will issue a state of emergency declaration at 1 p.m. tomorrow. Hyde and Date Counties have issued mandatory evacuation orders. Currituck County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for the Outer Banks as of noon today. Brunswick County has issued a voluntary evacuation order for Bald Head Island as of 9 a.m. today. Onslow County has issued a voluntary evacuation of North Topsail Beach. Tyrrell County will issue a mandatory evacuation at 1 p.m. today. Pender County will issue a mandatory evacuation order at 2 p.m. today.

The N.C. Department of Transportation's Ferry Division has suspended its regular ferry schedule to and from Ocracoke Island in preparation for the hurricane. The ferries to and from the island are operating on an as-needed basis to evacuate the island until further notice. Other ferry routes will remain on schedule as long as conditions permit.

The Division of Highways is prepared to mobilize personnel and equipment to coastal areas to help clear debris from roadways as necessary. Crews in the western part of the state are now on standby to assist if needed. For the latest on road conditions, citizens may visit the department's real-time travel information website at www.ncdot.org and click on "Real-Time Travel Info."

For the latest information, including links to public health and environmental information, please visit www.ncem.org and click on “Hurricane Status.”