Mayor Bob Matheny declared a state of emergency this afternoon ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Hanna.

Knightdale Mayor Russell Killen followed suit about 20 minutes later.

The order doesn’t prevent people from going where they want when they want, but according to Town Clerk Lisa Markland, those restrictions could be enacted if the storm is worse than expected.

Declaring the state of emergency would help make the town eligible for state and federal disaster funds if there is extensive damage from the storm.

Wake County is expected a similar state of emergency later this afternoon as well.

The state of emergency will take effect at 8 p.m. tonight and will last until 8 p.m. Saturday.

Knightdale’s state of emergency will also begin at 8 p.m., but Town Manager Gary McConkey said the declaration could be lifted as early as Saturday afternoon.