Virginia governor lifts mandatory evacuation order for coastal areas

RICHMOND, Va. - Governor Ralph Northam has lifted the mandatory evacuation order for coastal Virginia.

The evacuation order was lifted at 11 a.m. Friday for residents in Zone A of Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. This comes as the National Weather Service lifted the tropical storm warning for coastal Virginia.

Northam says the evacuation order has been lifted as officials focus on Hurricane Florence coming further inland and affecting southwest parts of the state,

"We are shifting our focus to the expected inland flooding and damage to Southwest Virginia as Florence turns north this weekend. We will make determinations in the coming days about the available resources and assistance we can offer to our neighbors in the Carolinas, who are in our thoughts and prayers as they bear the impact of this historic storm," said Gov. Northam in a statement.

State officials ask residents to use caution when returning home, and check road conditions before they travel by logging on to www.511Virginia.org or call 511.