(AP) -- North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue has declared a state of emergency for the region east of Interstate 95 in preparation of approaching Hurricane Irene.

Perdue also said Thursday she has asked President Barack Obama to declare a federal emergency ahead of the storm reaching North Carolina this weekend to help accelerate response efforts.

The state declaration gives Perdue and state officials more power to respond to the storm, particularly helping local governments with any recovery.

The North Carolina National Guard already has 20 service members deployed and working at the state's two emergency response warehouses.

Another 150 or so are on standby. Perdue announced the emergency declaration Thursday morning. Her office said she signed it late Wednesday.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)