Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Monday in advance of Hurricane Dorian’s effects on southeastern Virginia, which are expected to begin Thursday.

A state of emergency allows resources to be mobilized and people and equipment deployed for response and recovery efforts. The declaration also allows Virginia officials to coordinate planning and evacuation resources with the state of North Carolina, according to a press release.

“Hurricane Dorian is a serious storm, and current predictions indicate that it may affect parts of Virginia,” Northam stated in the release. “I am declaring a state of emergency to ensure that localities and communities have the appropriate level of assistance, and to coordinate the Commonwealth’s response to any potential impacts from Hurricane Dorian. I encourage Virginians to take all necessary precautions to make sure they are prepared as well.”

According to the 5 p.m. update Monday by the National Hurricane Center, Dorian is currently stationary about 105 miles east of West Palm Beach, Fla.

A slow westward to west-northwestward motion is expected to resume overnight and continue into Tuesday morning. Dorian should begin a northwestward turn by Tuesday afternoon, and its center is forecast to move near the Florida east coast. The hurricane is then expected to turn northeastward by Wednesday evening.

Life-threatening storm surge and dangerous hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the Florida east coast and the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. The risk for both storm surge and hurricane-force winds also continues to increase along the North Carolina coast, according to the hurricane center.

Heavy rains capable of producing life-threatening flash floods are expected over coastal sections of the southeast and lower mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. through Friday.

Meteorologist Eswar Iyer at the National Weather Service in Wakefield office said Monday that residents in Hampton Roads should expect the highest storm impacts Thursday evening through Friday.

“There will likely be some impacts for Hampton Roads,” Iyer said. “With the potential of tropical storm conditions, it’s certainly a very good idea to keep monitoring forecasts and get the latest information.”