Emergency officials are bracing for Hurricane Florence, which is anticipated to bring strong winds and torrential rainfall to Nash County.

Forecasters are comparing the hurricane to Hurricane Hazel, which hit North Carolina in 1954 as a Category 4 storm. It is the only Category 4 storm on record to hit the Carolinas. Hurricane Florence is threatening to change that.

Local officials, however, are more worried that the storm could be comparable to Hurricanes Fran and Floyd, which brought heavy winds and significant flooding to the Twin Counties.

"We're expecting, on the current track, we're expecting tropical storm force winds, maybe even hurricane force winds," said Nash County Emergency Services Deputy Director Scott Rogers. "We could be looking at a Fran or Floyd type event."

The National Weather Service is predicting Hurricane Florence will enter North Carolina on Thursday. Officials say the storm is predicted to be a "life-threatening storm with storm surge, in-land flooding and high winds."

Rogers said Nash County Emergency Services were constantly receiving updates about the storm and meeting with various officials in preparation.

Rogers said residents should be prepared for long times without power and should be prepared to not be able to go anywhere for at least three days.

"Please be prepared for at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency once the storm begins as access to you may be blocked for responders," a press release by Nash County Emergency Services stated.

Area schools were taking precautions ahead of time, with Nash-Rocky Mount Schools announcing on Tuesday it would be operating under an early release schedule on Wednesday and closed Thursday and Friday.

"Many of our families will begin evacuations from low-lying areas (Wednesday)," Superintendent Dr. Shelton Jefferies said. "NRMPS will operate area shelters under the direction of the Emergency Management System (EMS)."

"Parents, please communicate with your school administrators so that absences are excused for your students," Jefferies added. "The safety of our students, families and staff is our primary concern."

As of presstime, two shelters had opened in preparation for the storm, one at Nash Central High School and one at Southern Nash High School. Information going around social media listing numerous Nash County schools as shelters was not accurate.

If you have to visit a shelter, officials said to please carry clothing and bedding materials along with non-perishable foods and any medications or personal items needed. Alcohol, weapons and smoking are not allowed in shelters.

The shelter at Southern Nash High School will have an area for pets but residents must bring any food or items they may need.

Rogers said the ReadyNC App was the best way to stay informed on shelters. Other storm-related information could also be found on the Ready NC App.

Rogers said he was recommending that anyone in flood prone areas go to a friend or family members house.

"I would like folks to take this storm seriously," he said. "It's obviously a serious event that could certainly affect our community in a negative way," Rogers added.