Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a statewide state of emergency ahead of the expected impacts from Hurricane Isaias.

The declaration comes as Isaias approaches the northern Gulf Coast, with impacts expected to spread into Georgia beginning Friday night and continuing through the weekend.

Kemp said the emergency declaration will allow the state to dedicate resources and gives officials the ability to deploy the Georgia National Guard if needed. The state’s Emergency Operations Center is scheduled to activate Friday.

Kemp urged Georgians to “be prepared now” as the storm approaches.

For West Georgia, officials are monitoring the potential for heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts, flooding and tornadoes. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency says wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be possible in western Georgia, with the main window for impacts expected from Friday evening through Sunday morning.

A Flood Watch is also in effect across portions of West Georgia, while tropical weather watches have expanded across parts of the state.

CNAW2News.com will continue tracking Hurricane Isaias and its impacts across West Georgia and East Alabama throughout the weekend.