By David Madden and Elizabeth Hur

NEW CASTLE COUNTY (CBS) – Hurricane Sandy could well make a direct hit on Delaware and officials in the First State are advising residents to get ready now.

Governor Jack Markell is not ready to declare a state of emergency or require evacuations yet. But sometime Saturday, those decisions are likely to be made.

“If you’re along the coast, there’s a possibility that an evacuation is coming. So you ought to make plans of where to go, how to get there and what you will take. If you’re in an inland area that’s prone to flooding, you ought to be prepared to leave quickly.”

Evacuation centers are now being set up. Everyone else should be ready to hunker down at home perhaps for a few days and you could well be without power. That’s why he suggests people get their necessities – food, water, medicine and cash – before Sunday.

DEMA and relevant partners statewide are in communication with the National Weather Service and will continue to regularly monitor conditions.

For information on making a household emergency plan and building a supply kit, visit www.prepareDE.org, Ready.gov or Listo.gov . For regional weather updates, visit
http://weather.gov/phi
.