"We are working to get the necessary equipment and supplies to areas likely to be impacted by Isabel," said Easley. "This will allow for food, water, utility trucks and other emergency vehicles to get to the areas that they are needed most.

"In anticipation of this storm, we activated the State Emergency Operations Center over the weekend. They are currently staffed 24 hours a day and will remain operational as long as necessary to prepare for and recover from Isabel."

At 11:00 a.m., a Hurricane Watch was issued for the entire North Carolina Coast. At that time, the center of Hurricane Isabel was located about 600 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras. Isabel is moving toward the north-northwest at eight miles per hour, and this motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased and now approach 105 miles per hour. Hurricane force winds are first expected about 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and will continue towards northeastern North Carolina until near midnight. Total rainfall amounts will vary, but a maximum of approximately eight inches is expected in the Northeast.

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 1:00 p.m. tomorrow. Hyde County issued a mandatory evacuation order for Ocracoke Island as of noon Monday. A voluntary evacuation has been ordered for the mainland of Hyde County as of noon today, to become mandatory as 5:00 a.m. Wednesday. Dare County issued a mandatory evacuation order for Hatteras Island as of noon Monday, and for the remainder of the county as of noon today. 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 9:00 a.m. today. Tyrrell County will issue a mandatory evacuation at 1:00 p.m.tomorrow.

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.

Two emergency shelters have been opened in Wilson and Nash Counties. They currently have no occupants.

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."