South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, along with several other state officials, held a news briefing on Hurricane Ian Tuesday afternoon to address the potential impacts the storm could bring to the area.

McMaster emphasized that the state is prepared.

We are fully prepared for whatever comes," McMaster said.

We know that we are going to experience some rough weather," he added.

A representative from the National Weather Service said the storm is expected to "likely bring widespread impacts" to the state beginning on Thursday and throughout the weekend.

There's the potential for tropical storm force winds, storm surge flooding along the coast, heavy rainfall and flash flooding inland, and isolated tornadoes," the representative said, adding that Tropical Storm and Storm Surge Watches have been issued in the area.

Officials from the state's Emergency Management Division, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, as well as other state agencies, spoke. All echoed McMaster's statement that the state is prepared and they are closely monitoring the storm's path.

McMaster said his administration has been in contact with Clemson and the University of South Carolina and no decisions regarding school closures have been made at this time.

McMaster said for everyone to continue with their normal activities but "prepare for the worst and hope for the best."

Ian made landfall in Cuba’s Pinar del Rio province on Tuesday and left 1 million people without power. Many others were flooded out of their homes.

As of 2 p.m. EDT Tuesday, winds hit 120 mph with gusts up to 140 mph. The hurricane is moving north at about 10 mph.

At least nine counties in Florida are under a mandatory evacuation order, with five others considered under a voluntary order to leave. Models show Ian could grow to a Category 4 storm as it approaches the U.S.

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WGFL contributed to this report.