Carolinians Prepare for Possible Hanna Landfall

Check out our complete Hanna Coverage

People along the South Carolina coast are keeping their eyes on Hanna, but many here are more worried about Hurricane Ike, coming in on the heels of Hanna.  Hanna is still a tropical storm, and tropical storm warnings are up along the east coast, and a hurricane watch is in effect from Edisto Beach to the Outer Banks.  Hanna is predicted to make landfall near Wilmington late Friday evening or early Saturday morning, but the exact path is still up in the air.  Heavy rains are expected to hit the coast late Friday.  Storm surge of 2-4 feet are expected along the path of Hanna.  Folks on Pawley’s Island boarded up windows on their beach front homes, but many say they will stay.  Click on the Video link to watch Melissa Keeney’s report from the coast. 

Governor Mark Sanford is calling for a voluntary evacuation of South Carolina’s northern coast. Sanford called for the voluntary evacuations in Georgetown and Horry counties as Tropical Storm Hanna moves slowly toward South Carolina’s coast. Sanford said during the news conference Thursday that three emergency shelters in those areas would be opened for residents needing assistance.

“We’re laying it out on a voluntary basis so that people can make their own determination as to what works best for their families,“ Gov. Sanford said. “Those determinations are especially important, though, if one lives in a mobile home, if one is visiting in a camper or if one happens to live in a low-lying area or in a particularly wind-bound or open area.“ 

Hanna has killed over 100 people in Haiti.

Keep it on News Channel 7 for the latest tropical updates.