Ten U-Haul Companies across the Carolinas and Virginia are offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box container usage at 94 facilities to residents who stand to be impacted by the heavy rains and extreme winds associated with Hurricane Florence.

The Category 4 storm is expected to make landfall Thursday. The governors of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia have declared states of emergency and thousands of residents are preparing for the approaching storm.

"People are preparing to leave their homes, creating an immediate need for secure locations where evacuees can bring the possessions they wish to protect," said Doug Weston, U-Haul Company of Western North Carolina president. "As a member of these communities, we are in a position to help by providing this service to our friends who are in harm's way."

U-Haul Companies of Central North Carolina, Charlotte, Coastal South Carolina, Northern Virginia, Richmond, South Carolina, Southern Atlantic Coast, Southern Virginia, Tidewater and Western North Carolina have made 94 facilities across four states – including Georgia – available for assistance.

Families needing more information about the 30 days free self-storage assistance should contact the nearest participating U-Haul store. Locations are sorted by state:

GEORGIA (6 locations)

U-Haul Moving & Storage at Broad St.

1589 Broad St.

Augusta, GA 30904

(706) 722-4396

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Augusta West

3515 Wrightsboro Road

Augusta, GA 30909

(706) 447-5225

U-Haul at Gordon Hwy.

1802 Gordon Hwy.

Augusta, GA 30904

(706) 738-0121

U-Haul Moving & Storage at Wrightsboro

3363 Wrightsboro Road

Augusta, GA 30909

(706) 738-6463

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Savannah

8810 Abercorn St.

Savannah, GA 31406

(912) 927-6550

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Savannah Ogeechee

3802 Ogeechee Road

Savannah, GA 31405

(912) 233-9912