North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue discusses evacuations, state preparation

North Carolina is the first state on the Northeast that could take a direct hit from Hurricane Irene.

The latest hurricane center advisory projects that Irene will make landfall late Saturday afternoon near Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks. Tropical storm-force winds and rain are expected to begin late Friday and could increase to hurricane-force winds later Saturday.

North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue has declared a state of emergency for counties east of Interstate 95 and beginning this morning, all Hyde County residents and all visitors to Dare County will be evacuated.

Governor Perdue talks with Ali Velshi about the evacuations today on American Morning, explaining what hurricane preparations are underway in the state.