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ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency for south Georgia counties expected to be impacted by Hurricane Milton.

Milton, now a Category 5 hurricane, is barreling toward the Florida coast. It’s expected to remain a major hurricane as it tracks toward Florida, with a landfall between Tampa and Sarasota Wednesday night.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. The storm is not expected to impact metro Atlanta.

On Tuesday, Kemp signed an executive order to declare a state of emergency for counties in south Georgia that Milton is forecast to track along between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, bringing heavy rainfall and tropical-storm-force wind gusts.

RELATED: Atlanta Motor Speedway opens campground to Milton evacuees

The executive order cites the National Hurricane Center, which predicts that Milton may have severe impacts in the counties, including flash flooding from heavy rainfall, downed trees and downed power lines from strong winds resulting in power outages, and roads being blocked by flooding and debris.

The order dedicates state resources to assist in “preparation, response, and recovery activities throughout the affected areas.”

Kemp said in a statement on social media that he was ordering the state of emergency “for the counties within Hurricane Milton’s path until Oct 16 as we prepare in advance for this major storm and any potential damages it may bring.”

The governor is urging Georgians who could be affected by the storm to make preparations now.

The state of emergency is in effect from Tuesday until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, for the following counties:

Appling

Atkinson

Bacon

Berrien

Bibb

Brantley

Brooks

Bryan

Bulloch

Butts

Camden

Candler

Charlton

Chatham

Clinch

Coffee

Cook

Crisp

Dougherty

Echols

Effingham

Evans

Glynn

Houston

Jeff Davis

Lanier

Liberty

Long

Lowndes

McIntosh

Monroe

Muscogee

Pierce

Screven

Tattnall

Toombs

Ware

Wayne

Through another executive order Tuesday, Kemp also extended the state of emergency he declared for Hurricane Helene last month.

Meanwhile, Georgia officials including Kemp are encouraging Floridians evacuating ahead of Milton to seek refuge in north Georgia.

MORE COVERAGE:

Officials urge Floridians to find refuge in Georgia before Hurricane Milton

Gov. Kemp extends state of emergency for several Georgia counties after Hurricane Helene