RICHMOND, Va. —  Gov. Tim Kaine declared a state of emergency Wednesday in Virginia as unrelenting rain from a tropical storm soaked the state.

The declaration mobilizes state agencies to prepare for the threat of flooding over a wide swath of Virginia.

The National Weather Service forecasts 3 to 8 inches of rain through Friday morning for parts of the state as remnants of Hurricane Ida crawl across the state.

A coastal flood warning was posted for some areas thanks to a storm surge coinciding with high tide. A flood watch is posted for central, eastern and southeastern areas farther inland.

Kaine's declaration urges Virginians in tidal flood plains and areas prone to flash flooding to be on alert.