Evacuations have already been issued in some states as precautionary measures for the extreme flooding and potential havoc Hurricane Sandy is predicted to bring to the U.S. East Coast.

Gov. Jack Markell of Delaware ordered 50,000 residents along the coast of Kent, New Castle and Sussex counties to evacuate by Sunday evening, according to The New York Times. They also noted that the mayor of Wilmington mandated an evacuation of those living in low-tide areas of the city.

In addition, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey ordered an evacuation on Saturday of barrier islands south of Point Pleasant, Long Beach Island, and coastal towns from Atlantic City, including Wildwood, to Cape May. He also added that he would be closing New Jersey's 14 casinos as of 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Shoreline evacuations starting at noon on Sunday were also issued for Bridgeport, Fairfield and Westport, Conn., at the same time that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy issued a state of emergency.

"The forecast path of Hurricane Sandy has convinced me that the signing of this declaration is necessary, and will help us react more quickly and effectively in the event of a serious weather event," said Malloy. "This storm needs to be taken seriously and just as the state is taking preparatory actions, I encourage the public and all of the state's utility companies to do the same."

Last updated at 8 p.m. on Saturday, The National Hurricane Center reported that Sandy was moving northeastward at 13 mph along the East Coast of the U.S. High wind watches and warnings are still in effect for the mid-Atlantic states and southern New England. Also noted on Saturday was that Sandy's sustained surface wind speed could amount to or exceed 35 mph.

Residents from New England to New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia are particularly warned to keep watching weather updates following Sandy and to prepare for any mainland damage, according to The Weather Channel.

Tags
Hurricane sandy, Noaa