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LANCASTER, S.C. -- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Irma's arrival.

McMaster announced the state of emergency just after noon Wednesday.

The tweet read, "The state of emergency allows one of the best, most experienced emergency response teams on earth to begin organizing response efforts."

The state of emergency allows one of the best, most experienced emergency response teams on earth to begin organizing response efforts. 1/ https://t.co/ITJXTA9wdX — Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) September 6, 2017

The massive storm was located just west of St. Maarten. It was moving west-northwest at 16 mph with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. It aimed at several islands, including Puerto Rico, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, and the US Virgin Islands.

The latest forecast cone shifts Irma’s center more to the east.

FOX8's hurricane tracker

If that trend continues, it could prove favorable for South Florida — but an even further shift to the east could prove more ominous for other states, including Georgia and the Carolinas.

“Irma may be a big threat to us in the Carolinas,” said Kate Garner with the FOX8 Weather Center.

View the Hurricane Irma Live blog here.

The city of Charleston released the following update on Hurricane Irma preparations at noon today, Sept. 6, 2017. pic.twitter.com/JUrRR4e7bj — City of Charleston (@CityCharleston) September 6, 2017

Gov. Henry McMaster Asks South Carolinians to Prepare for Hurricane Irma, Declares State of Emergency pic.twitter.com/IxpyGY4EZX — SC Governor Press (@scgovernorpress) September 6, 2017

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