Pence scraps Georgia trip as Florence looms

Vice President Mike Pence postponed a trip to Georgia on Thursday as updated forecasts show Hurricane Florence is expected to threaten the state.

The Republican was scheduled to make two Florence-related pit stops - the first to a Delta Air Lines facility, the second to an American Red Cross supply center – before hosting a fundraiser to benefit the Georgia GOP and Republican Brian Kemp’s campaign for governor. 

But those plans were scrapped Wednesday because the latest projections show Florence taking a leftward turn toward Georgia after coming ashore further up the coast. Pence’s office said he will instead remain in Washington to monitor the hurricane.

President Donald Trump has also canceled campaign events in Mississippi and Missouri because of the hurricane, which has prompted officials in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia to order the evacuation of 1.7 million people. 

In Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal has declared a state of emergency in all 159 counties as emergency officials warn of high winds and lashing rains later this week.