WILMINGTON, N.C. -- UNC Wilmington has issued a mandatory evacuation for students beginning Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 8 a.m.

National Weather Service officials say Hurricane Florence has the potential to directly affect the UNCW area later in the week.

All students must leave campus no later than 12 p.m. on Tuesday.

The school has also canceled all university-sponsored events and athletics, including Fall Family and Alumni Weekend (Sept. 14-15), the women’s soccer match vs. ECU on Thursday (Sept. 13) and the Hampton Inn Seahawk Invitational women’s volleyball tournament (Sept. 14-15).

The university is working with UNC Asheville to house those UNCW students who do not have other options for safe shelter.

Get the latest news, sports and weather delivered straight to your inbox. Click here to sign up for email and text alerts.