North Carolina, Virginia Declare State Of Emergency Ahead Of Hanna

September 4, 2008 6:48 p.m. EST

Raleigh, NC (AHN) - The governors of North Carolina and Virginia declared a state of emergency Thursday, two days ahead of tropical storm Hanna's landfall, to make funds and resources available for emergency response.

North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley also announced the activation on Friday of a bilingual emergency hotline, where people in need can call for help. Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine authorized state agencies to identify and preposition resources for quick response anywhere they are needed in the state.

Hanna is in the east of the Bahamas and weather forecasters predicted it will transform into a hurricane by Friday and will hit the southeastern states on Saturday. A hurricane watch is in effect in the Carolinas and Georgia.