Currently, forecasters project Hanna will turn northwest today and increase forward speed. She will travel through the Bahamas and re-intensify.
But the powerful storm already has waters off the Southeast coast churning and producing rip currents.
Currently, Hanna is expected to come ashore in South Carolina somewhere between Charleston and Hilton Head late Friday as a mid category one hurricane.
“The current forecast has such uncertainty. Models have it coming through the western Midlands or through the Pee Dee. In either event, there will be the possibility of heavy rains, trees down, power outages and the possibility of tornadoes. If we are on the eastern side of the track, the problems would be minimized here like with Hugo. If we are in the center of the track then the problems become greater,“ said Sheriff Lee Foster, adding the direction of the storm should become clear in coming hours.
Emergency Services Coordinator Tommy Long adds the hurricane could change at any minute, but that his office is monitoring the situation and is ready to take necessary action.
“I have requested that our department heads begin preliminary storm preparation as a result of the very active Atlantic storm basin,“ said Newberry City Manager Eric Budds. “City staff will carefully monitor the forecast for Hanna and the other storms. Should the forecast have the storm making landfall on the South Carolina coast, our efforts will be stepped up.“
“We are checking our equipment such as generators and refueling/topping off all equipment. We will be monitoring Hanna and the other storms today, keeping in touch with other emergency personnel,“ added Interim Newberry Fire Chief Keith Minick.
If conditions continue to favor Hanna coming into the area, emergency officials will begin to coordinate plans. A meeting of emergency responders is slated for 3 p.m. today at the Emergency Operations Center inside the Sheriff's Office.
Local school officials are already rearranging ballgames, and are in contact with emergency officials. They are also checking their call systems to be able to alert teachers and parents of any notices. Last year the School District purchased an AlertNow system that will call parents and deliver a recorded message with announcements.
The American Red Cross urges everyone to dust off their disaster supplies kit and get better prepared for Hurricane Hanna and the variety of disasters such as high winds, flooding and tornadoes that may accompany it.
“By taking three basic preparedness actions you can get ‘Red Cross Ready' for disasters and other emergencies: get a kit, make a plan and be informed,“ said Greg Parks, programs and services director, American Red Cross of Central South Carolina. “Your local Red Cross chapter is here to help you get prepared for specific disasters like hurricanes. Even if you took action to prepare last hurricane season, it's important that you revisit and update your communication plan and check your disaster supplies kit for expired items.“
Budds suggested that residents and businesses also carefully monitor the forecast for the storms and take appropriate actions such as securing outdoor items, including furniture, construction materials and garbage cans and preparing for possible minor flooding and power outage.
If trees fall on a road call 276-0554 for S.C. Department of Transportation roads and 321-2180 for county roads. After hours call the Sheriff's Office at 321-2222 and an on-duty person will be called.
In the event that the Newberry area is forecasted to be affected, more storm preparation information will be released on www.newberryobserver.com, WKDK Radio AM 1240, and the City's Web site at www.cityofnewberry.com.
The American Red Cross of Central South Carolina needs volunteers to staff shelters during coastal evacuations. Anyone can volunteer and all that is needed is a desire to help. A shelter operation overview for new volunteers will be held tomorrow from 1 to 3 p.m. at the S.C. DHEC Peeples Auditorium on Bull Street in Columbia.
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