Across the eastern seaboard and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic, people are experiencing the wrath of Hurricane Isabel.

Gov. Ed Rendell has issued a statewide "disaster emergency" declaration and Mercer County emergency management officials are recommending that residents prepare for rain, wind and flooding that may hit here.

John Nicklin, deputy director of the county Emergency Management Agency, said rain from hurricanes has caused major flooding this far inland before.

Emergency officials are on guard, he said, and they are trying to prepare for whatever the storm brings.

"We'll probably see effects of this through (Friday)," he said. "What we've done so far is notify all local EMA coordinators. They should keep an eye on the community, check on the elderly and report any flooding or large power outages."

Among those not taking any chances with the weather are several area school districts which postponed five football games involving Mercer County Athletic Conference teams from tonight until Saturday.