Virginia Tech football game vs. East Carolina canceled due to Hurricane Florence

Virginia Tech said its home football game against East Carolina has been canceled due to Hurricane Florence.

Officials from East Carolina informed Virginia Tech that they will not be traveling to Blacksburg, Virginia for the game that was scheduled to take place Saturday afternoon.

Virginia Tech said it had planned on making a decision regarding the status of the game on Wednesday before East Carolina let them know about its plan.

"We will do what's best for Virginia Tech moving forward as it relates to East Carolina and to the game," said Virginia Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock. "We certainly understand the need for safety, of course, we just felt that tomorrow, making the decision then, would've been more responsible and accurate. We informed ECU of this multiple times."

"More details for fans holding tickets to Saturday's football game against East Carolina will be made available once further information is available on whether the game could potentially be rescheduled," Virginia Tech said on its website. "As soon as those details are finalized, it will be communicated with all impacted parties."

Virginia Tech said no decision has been made regarding other home athletics events scheduled for this weekend.

Forecasters say Hurricane Florence is expected to hit the North Carolina coast by late Thursday night or early Friday morning. Coastal evacuations have already been issued in parts of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia have each declared a state of emergency ahead of the Category 4 storm.

Several other college football games have also been canceled or relocated due to the incoming weather.

The Hokies next football game will be on Sept. 22 on the road against Old Dominion.