NEW YORK, Dhu-AlHijjah 18, 1436, October 02, 2015, SPA -- Already experiencing heavy rains and flooding, U.S. East Coast states were bracing for another day of possibly dangerous weather Friday as forecasters predict more downpours and a possible hurricane. Two storm-related deaths already have occurred in the Carolinas, where heavy rain has been falling for days. Governors declared states of emergency in at least five states as forecasters warned of flash floods from Charleston, South Carolina, to Washington, District of Columbia – regardless of whether Hurricane Joachin goes ashore or tracks farther out to sea. Streets and homes can still be damaged by rain and flooding associated with Joachin even if it is 1,609 kilometers away, forecasters say. Because the hurricane can keep funneling tropical moisture into the first storm from afar, even an out-to-sea Joachin can worsen flooding. The category 4 storm could land early next week in the Mid-Atlantic region, home to five major oil refineries, the New York Harbor gasoline market, and major logistics assets. The most recent models have the storm veering farther from the East Coast, which could spare the region the brunt of the storm. --SPA 19:26 LOCAL TIME 16:26 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w