RALEIGH — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said residents should expect Hurricane Florence to batter the state for days, urging those in eastern portions of the state to evacuate.

"The time to prepare is almost over," Cooper said. "Disaster is on the doorstep and it's coming in."

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State officials on Wednesday morning said they're prepared for the potentially historic storm, with mandatory evacuations ordered for vulnerable coastal areas, including North Carolina's barrier islands.

Sixteen shelters have opened across the state, and hundreds of inmates in prisons and jails in vulnerable areas have been evacuated, along with long-term care facilities.

North Carolina Highway Patrol Commander Glenn McNeill said troopers are assisting with evacuations on the state's east side, and squads are ready to deploy to the most heavily impacted areas of the state in the storm's aftermath.

Six motor vehicle collisions were cleared overnight by the Department of Transportation to allow for swift evacuations. Some 2,800 additional national guardsmen will be on duty in the state by the end of Wednesday.

The governor is expected to travel to Kinston on Wednesday.

"We are encouraging people not to ride out this monster," Cooper said. "We do know this is going to be a significant event for our coastal areas."

Current projections show Florence shifting south and west from its previously predicted path, Robbie Munroe, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Greer, South Carolina, said Wednesday. Munroe said Florence — now a Category 4 storm — also has slowed "quite a bit," meaning it might not reach land until Friday.

Western North Carolina could see days-long heavy rainfall and possible flash floods, mudslides and debris flows. Every part of the state needs to stay alert, Cooper said, mentioning the mudslides in WNC earlier this year.

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen said residents should consider medications and prescriptions as part of their storm preparation. She urged against driving across standing water and using gas-powered generators inside homes.

Cohen said driving across standing water was the leading cause of death during Hurricane Matthew.

More than 1 million people face mandatory evacuation orders this week. Many fall within the American Southeast, including in Virginia and the coastal parts of the Carolinas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said.

Shelters for displaced residents began opening Tuesday in areas like Wake County and are expected to open in New Hanover, Moore, Johnston and Sampson counties, among others.

A complete list of shelters is available online at ncdps.gov/florence.

A statewide information line can provide callers with shelter updates and other storm-related details at 2-1-1 or (888) 892-1162. Cooper's office also activated Tuesday the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund at rebuild.nc.gov.

The Asheville Fire Department encouraged those in the area to sign up for AVL Alert to receive crucial emergency messages.