South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said that anyone who loots during Hurricane Florence will be shown "no mercy" by law enforcement.
“This is gonna be a very trying period," he said at a Friday news conference.
McMaster said Florence will be different than previous storms that have hit the area, and its effects will be felt for longer as it travels slowly. "This will be with us for about two days,” he said.
He said residents should expect impassable bridges, washed out roads, landslides and flooding. He also pleaded with them to be patient.
"The last thing we want to do is lose lives in South Carolina because of impatience," he said.