Few fear Hanna's effects

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. --- Tropical Storm Hanna cruised toward the Carolinas on Friday, forecast to hit land overnight and promising to deliver gusty winds and heavy rain during a dash up the Eastern Seaboard that could wash out the weekend for millions of people.

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Associated Press

Jack Farmer attempts to push his scooter out of the deep water dumped on North Myrtle Beach, S.C., by Tropical Storm Hanna. "I must have flooded it out," Mr. Farmer said.

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Associated Press

Jack Farmer attempts to push his scooter out of the deep water dumped on North Myrtle Beach, S.C., by Tropical Storm Hanna. "I must have flooded it out," Mr. Farmer said.

Not far behind was a much bigger worry: ferocious-looking Hurricane Ike, on a path similar to the one taken by Andrew, the Category 5 monster that devastated South Florida in 1992. Ike could hit Florida by the middle of next week.

Emergency officials urged evacuations in only a few spots in the Carolinas, and about 400 people went to shelters in both states. Forecasters said there was only a small chance Hanna could become a hurricane, and most people simply planned to stay off the roads until the storm passed.

"My vacation lasts through Sunday," said Jesse King of Asheboro, N.C., who hid under a Myrtle Beach pier as winds picked up and bursts of blinding rain fell Friday evening. "They are going to have to tell me I have to leave if they want me to go before Sunday."

Rain started falling early Friday on the Carolina coast, with streets in some spots flooding by late afternoon and wind gusts hitting 45 mph as the leading edges of the storm approached land.

Hanna was expected to blow ashore early this morning between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington, N.C., then race up the Atlantic Coast, reaching New England by Sunday morning. Tropical storm watches or warnings ran from Georgia to Massachusetts.

Terry Hash arrived in Myrtle Beach on Thursday, ready to celebrate her 50th birthday with college friends from Colgate University at the Raiders football game against Coastal Carolina.

"I'm not worried because it's not a Category 4," Ms. Hash said. "I just love the beach when it's stormy. It really shows the power the ocean has."

As night fell and clouds gathered, residents and visitors flocked to the main beach at Atlantic Beach, N.C.

"I'm glad it's not as bad as they were predicting," said 84-year-old May Craig Kernodle of Burlington as she held her walker.

Several inches of rain were expected in the Carolinas, central Virginia, Maryland and southeastern Pennsylvania. Some spots could see 10 inches.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said people in low-lying areas, mobile homes, camping trailers or places susceptible to wind damage should consider leaving: "Now is the time to look at taking shelter."

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials expected Hanna to move quickly but said they had supplies in place and emergency crews ready.

In Washington, officials prepared for the possibility of flooding by removing debris from catch basins, stockpiling sandbags and lining up portable pumps and generators.

For all the talk of Hanna, there was more about Ike, which could become the fiercest storm to strike South Florida since Andrew. Andrew was blamed for 65 deaths and more than $26 billion in damage. FEMA officials said they were positioning supplies, search and rescue crews, communications equipment and medical teams in Florida and along the Gulf Coast -- a task complicated by Ike's changing path. Tourists in the Keys were ordered to leave beginning this morning.