ATLANTA – Georgia residents in the shifting path of Hurricane Irma are urged to stay put as the now Category 2 storm inches closer. 

“Shelter in place as much as possible,” Gov. Nathan Deal said during a media briefing Sunday evening at the state operations center in Atlanta. “That’s the best advice we can give.” 

Irma was initially expected to wallop Georgia’s coast, leading Deal to order a mandatory evacuation for coastal communities. But the storm’s westward lean has since steered the focus to the state’s southwest corner. 

The massive storm, which is expected to reach southwest Georgia by Monday afternoon, prompted Deal to place the entire state – all 159 counties – under a state of emergency Sunday.

Storm surges on the coast and inland flooding are expected. 

“Unlike storms or certainly hurricanes of the past, this hurricane is so widespread that it will be very unlikely that we will see the same concentration in smaller areas of damage as we have seen the past,” Deal said.

Deal said Sunday the federal government has recognized his emergency declaration, adding he received a phone call from President Donald Trump earlier in the day. He cautioned it will likely take time to assess the damage in the wake of Irma. 

“It is certainly one of those circumstances where we’re going to need federal assistance if this storm is of the magnitude that we expect it to be,” Deal said. 

Shelters have been opened across the state for those who cannot safely stay in their homes. A list of shelter locations is posted at gema.ga.gov.

People are also being urged to stay off the roadways and listen to local advisories. Deal said he hopes other employers will follow the state’s lead and close offices on Monday and Tuesday. 

Jill Nolin covers the Georgia Statehouse for The Valdosta Daily Times and CNHI’s newspapers and websites.