ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) -- Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency Wednesday in anticipation of Hurricane Helene's arrival, and local businesses in Old Town Alexandria said they're prepared but not concerned. “We're just used to it. We're used to it," said Jay Harder, an employee at Misha's Coffee. The coffee shop is located on Union Street right near the water and often experiences flooding outside the shop due to high tides. Hurricane Helene, now a Category 2 storm, expected to intensify before making landfall “I know that sometimes the waters come up onto the sidewalk and we have had to shut down once or twice. Just so the customers don't have to walk through the water," shared Harder. Youngkin's decision to place Virginia under a state of emergency comes as heavy rain, winds and flooding from Helene is expected to hit the area from Friday to Saturday. However, Harder said they're not too concerned. “We have sandbags on standby for the most extreme cases. We'll set them up and put them in front of the door," he added. "We're planning on being open for business just as usual.” Virginia Task Force 1 deploys to Florida ahead of hurricane As businesses get ready for Hurricane Helene, neighbors who live in the area are encouraged to do the following to stay prepared: Make a plan: ensure your household know how to get to a safe place, contact each other, and prepare for any scenario. Prepare an emergency kit: make sure you have all your needs like food, medical needs, emergency funds, flashlight. Stay informed by keeping up with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management via social media.