Hurricane Florence continues to grow as is moves towards the east coast of the United States.

Numerous areas in the center of the storm’s cone have ordered mandatory evacuations in anticipation of Hurricane Florence’s Thursday arrival.

The most recent reports from the National Hurricane Center said that Hurricane Florence had strengthened to a Category 4 storm that would most likely make landfall in North Carolina, but that its effects would be felt as far south as Jacksonville, Florida, and as far north as central New Jersey.

Several states have declared a State of Emergency ahead of the storm’s arrival, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.

In North Carolina, North Topsail beach announced a mandatory evacuation by Tuesday morning. East Carolina University announced in a tweet that they would be cancelling classes for the rest of the week starting on Tuesday.

Dare County issued a mandatory evacuation order for resident and visitors on Hatteras Island that goes into effect at noon on Monday.

Brunswick County ordered a mandatory evacuation effective at sunrise on Tuesday for residents of low-lying and flood prone areas, but left it voluntary for the rest of the population.

Farther south, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has announced a mandatory evacuation for all coastal zones starting Tuesday, WTVD reported.

The mandatory evacuation also extended into inland areas that were low-lying areas prone to flooding.

Authorities planned to reverse the eastbound lanes of the major highways that connect to Myrtle Beach and Charleston at noon on Tuesday, WYFF reported. Highways out of Beaufort will be ready for reversal if it’s necessary.

South Carolina’s governor also ordered 177 hospitals and medical facility to be evacuated ahead of the storm.

"This will be inconvenient for some people, but we don't want to risk one South Carolina life" McMaster said. "We're not going to gamble with lives."

In Virginia, U.S. Navy Spokeswoman Alana Garas said 30 of the Virginia-based ships would be headed out to sea on Monday, WTVD reported.

Naval bases near Virginia’s coast began sandbagging their facilities over the weekend.

President Trump has been tweeting out warnings about the coming destructive storm.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced a State of Emergency in anticipation of historic flooding.

“We are preparing for the potential of historic, catastrophic and life-threatening flooding in Maryland,” Hogan said.

He called the State of Emergency for Maryland a “pro-active” move so that all resources have been mobilized, WJZ reported. The Maryland National Guard has already been activated.

“While we are hoping for the best, we are preparing for the worst,” Hogan said.