A glancing blow from Idalia Wednesday and Thursday

Aug. 29. Gov. Roy Cooper has declared a State of Emergency in advance of Hurricane Idalia’s visit to North Carolina Wednesday and Thursday. The emergency operations plan waives transportation rules to help move fuel and critical supplies and services, help first responders and protect consumers from price gouging.

Idalia is expected to produce heavy rain particularly in Southeast North Carolina.

Locally, the National Weather Service forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms today through Thursday morning, with wind gusts up to 23 mph on Wednesday and 30 mph on Thursday. Look for sunshine Thursday afternoon.

Hurricane tips:

—Have multiple ways to receive emergency information, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on a cell phone and download a weather app.

—Have an emergency plan. Know where to go if there’s a need to evacuate. Make a plan to stay with family, friends or at a hotel. Public shelters should be a last resort.

—Gather some emergency supplies or refresh an emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit.

—Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn around, don’t drown.

If your friends or family live near or are visiting the coast, be aware if you are located in a coastal evacuation zone. Visit KnowYourZone.nc.gov to see if you are located in a pre-determined evacuation zone.