Hurricane Florence is decreasing in forward speed and decreased to a Category 3 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 2 p.m. update.

The update stated Florence is still forecasted to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it nears the U.S. coast late Thursday and Friday. Life-threatening storm surges and rainfall are expected across portions of the Carolinas.

The National Hurricane Center said, “The center of Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas today, and approach the coast of North Carolina or South Carolina in the hurricane warning area on Thursday and Friday and move slowly near the coastline through Saturday.”

On the afternoon of Sept. 12, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal released a statement declaring a state of emergency for all 159 counties in the wake of Hurricane Florence.

“The state is mobilizing all available resources to ensure public safety ahead of Hurricane Florence,” Deal said. “In light of the storm’s forecasted southward track after making landfall, I encourage Georgians to be prepared for the inland effects of the storm as well as the ensuing storm surge in coastal areas.”

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