WILMINGTON, N.C. – While those in Hurricane Florence's path are stocking up on necessities, companies around the country are gearing up to help in the storm's wake.
"This is historic. This storm is big and it's vicious," North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said.
Supply store giants Home Depot and Lowe's have both activated hurricane command centers to make sure area stores are well stocked before and after the storm.
"Almost every North Carolinian is going to be affected by this storm in one way or another," Cooper said. "We know there's probably going to be loss of power for a number of days."
Electric companies from all over the country are sending lineman and equipment to help restore power after the storm.
Loss of power and no access to medical supplies can mean life or death for those who survive the storm, but are stuck in its aftermath.
"The concern is about people who are very young or very old, who don't have much money or access to transportation, who do not speak the predominant language or have access to information," Thomas Tighe, of Direct Relief, said.
Direct Relief, an aid organization in California, is sending crates of medical supplies to help with that burden.
But the most important thing, officials say, is that residents are heeding their warnings and leaving.
"Get to safety before the trouble comes," Norfolk Fire Chief Jeffrey Wise said. "People need to take advantage of the time now while it's still safe and put yourself in a position where you don't need to call 911."
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MYRTLE BEACH, SC - SEPTEMBER 12: Doug Lewis (L) and Chris Williams use plywood with the words 'Looters will be shot' to cover the windows of Knuckleheads bar as they try to protect the business ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 12, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected on Friday possibly as a category 4 storm along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)MYRTLE BEACH, SC - SEPTEMBER 12: A sign reads "Go Away Florence" ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 12, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Florence slowed its approach to the U.S. today and was expected to turn south, stalling along the North Carolina and South Carolina coast and bringing with it torrential rain, high winds and a dangerous storm surge tomorrow through Saturday. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)SURF CITY, NC- SEPTEMBER 13: A gas station pump is shut down with no gas as Hurricane Florence approaches the area, on September 13, 2018 in Surf City, North Carolina. Hurricane Florence is expected on early Friday possibly as a category 2 or 3 storm along the North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)MOREHEAD CITY, NC - SEPTEMBER 12: Gasoline pumps are wrapped in plastic to prevent people from using them at a closed station before the arrival of Hurricane Florence September 12, 2018 in Morehead City, North Carolina. Coastal cities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virgnian are under evacuation orders as the category 3 hurricane approaches the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)CONWAY, SC - SEPTEMBER 13: Bob Cavanagh and Linda Moore (L-R) wait in an evacuation shelter setup at the Conway High School for the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 13, 2018 in Conway, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected to arrive on Friday possibly as a category 2 storm along the North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)CONWAY, SC - SEPTEMBER 13: Ronald Whitmer and Brenda Whitmer (L-R) wait in an evacuation shelter setup at the Conway High School for the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 13, 2018 in Conway, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected to arrive on Friday possibly as a category 2 storm along the North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)MYRTLE BEACH, SC - SEPTEMBER 13: Bob Cavanagh (L) and Linda Moore (C) wait in an evacuation shelter setup at the Conway High School for the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 13, 2018 in Conway, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected to arrive on Friday possibly as a category 2 storm along the North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)CONWAY, SC - SEPTEMBER 13: Susan Ianclan and Jesus Ianclan (L-R) wait in an evacuation shelter setup at the Conway High School for the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 13, 2018 in Conway, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected to arrive on Friday possibly as a category 2 storm along the North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)CONWAY, SC - SEPTEMBER 13: Kenneth Roberts arrives at an evacuation shelter setup at the Conway High School before the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 13, 2018 in Conway, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected to arrive on Friday possibly as a category 2 storm along the North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)ATLANTIC BEACH, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: A spray painted message is left on a boarded up condominium as the outer bands of Hurricane Florence being to affect the coast September 13, 2018 in Atlantic Beach, United States. Coastal cities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virgnia are under evacuation orders as the Category 2 hurricane approaches the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)WILMINGTON, NC - SEPTEMBER 13: Buddy Dozier (L) and his son Harris Dozier remove some boards from his new dock to hopefully let water vent through, as storm surge from Hurricane Florence is expected in the area, on September 13, 2018 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Hurricane Florence is expected on early Friday possibly as a category 2 or 3 storm along the North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC- SEPTEMBER 12: A surfer takes advantage of the large waves caused by the approaching Hurricane Florence, on September 12, 2018 in Wrightsville Beach, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected on Friday possibly as a category 4 storm along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)NAGS HEAD, NC - SEPTEMBER 12: The sun rises over the ocean ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 12, 2018 in Nags Head, North Carolina. Hurricane Florence is expected on Friday possibly as a category 4 storm along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)MYRTLE BEACH, SC - SEPTEMBER 11: A store's bread shelves are bare as people stock up on food ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 11, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Florence, already packing 130 mph winds, is expected to make landfall by late Thursday at near Category 5 strength along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC- SEPTEMBER 11: Local resident Dave Collins shovels sand into a bag while the coastal area is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 11, 2018 in Wrightsville Beach, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected on Friday possibly as a category 4 storm along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC- SEPTEMBER 11: Hurricane Party is written on plywood covering the window of the Lager Heads Tavern as they prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 11, 2018 in Wrightsville Beach, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected on Friday possibly as a category 4 storm along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC- SEPTEMBER 11: Windows are boarded up as local shops prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 11, 2018 in Wrightsville Beach, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected on Friday possibly as a category 4 storm along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC - SEPTEMBER 11: Clint McBride (R) cuts plywood to be put over a homes window while preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 11, 2018 in Wrightsville Beach, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected on Friday possibly as a category 4 storm along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC - SEPTEMBER 11: Workers board up a home while preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 11, 2018 in Wrightsville Beach, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected on Friday possibly as a category 4 storm along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)MYRTLE BEACH, SC - SEPTEMBER 11: Jim Kelly buys plywood at a Home Depot ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 11, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Florence is expected to make landfall by late Thursday to near Category 5 strength along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)MYRTLE BEACH, SC - SEPTEMBER 11: Scott Fleenor (seated) and Jeremiah Trendell board over the windows of a business ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 11, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Florence is expected to make landfall by late Thursday to near Category 5 strength along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MYRTLE BEACH, SC - SEPTEMBER 12: Doug Lewis (L) and Chris Williams use plywood with the words 'Looters will be shot' to cover the windows of Knuckleheads bar as they try to protect the business ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence on September 12, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, United States. Hurricane Florence is expected on Friday possibly as a category 4 storm along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coastline. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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