COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – Governor Henry McMaster and state emergency management officials discussed Saturday potential impacts from Tropical Depression 9 (future Imelda) on the state, encouraging residents to pay attention to the forecast.

While the forecast for Tropical Depression 9 has improved since Friday, Gov. McMaster warned that it still poses “a significant threat to our entire state” with heavy rain and dangerous flooding expected.

“The storm’s track and intensity remain uncertain, but what is certain is that Team South Carolina will be ready,” the governor said.

State officials said an evacuation of the coast is not expected, nor do they anticipate the need for any storm shelters.

Gov. McMaster declared a State of Emergency for South Carolina on Friday afternoon, which activates the state’s emergency operations plan and allows the Emergency Management Division to coordinate with state agencies in preparation for potential requests for assistance from local officials.

It also allows state and local emergency management agencies to be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement for storm-related expenses.

Tropical Depression 9 officially formed Saturday morning with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and a northwest movement at six miles per hour. The storm is forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm this weekend before becoming a hurricane, possibly off the South Carolina coast, by Tuesday morning.

For now, the forecast track has the storm nearing the South Carolina coast before moving out to sea. Local impacts could mean heavy rainfall and windy conditions along the coast.

In anticipation of possible tropical-related impacts, numerous governments along the South Carolina coast have issued state of emergency declarations, following the governor’s order, which allows municipalities to mobilize resources quickly and position themselves for potential FEMA reimbursement if needed.