Hanna Threatens, But All Eyes on Ike

Some areas already flooded; officials preparing for worse

(NEWSER) - As Tropical Storm Hanna roared toward the Carolinas this afternoon on 30 mph winds projected to keep rising, many Charleston streets flooded and officials ordered voluntary evacuations in some low-lying areas, the Post and Courier reports. "All of our emergency persons are on duty,” the Berkeley County supervisor said. “Everybody stands ready." More»

(AP) - Tropical Storm Hanna accelerated toward the New England states today after the storm's whipping winds and rain did not linger long enough over the Southeast to cause much more than isolated flooding and power outages. Hanna moved quickly inland after cruising ashore overnight with winds of around 50 mph. But as Hanna cleared out, eyes turned to Hurricane Ike—a Category 3 storm with winds of nearly 115 mph that was expected to strengthen as it approached Cuba and southern Florida by Monday. More»

Now Josephine's waiting in the wings

(NEWSER) - Two major storms are churning across the Atlantic, with their chances of striking the US still unclear. Hurricane Ike has rapidly strengthened to a raging Category 4, while Tropical Storm Hanna is now battering the Bahamas after killing 26 in Haiti. Hanna could hit the US Saturday anywhere between Georgia and North Carolina, reports AP. Ike’s path is still uncertain. More»

Year's first storm forms before start of hurricane season

(NEWSER) - With 12 days left before the official start of hurricane season, Tropical Storm Alberto has formed about 95 miles off the coast of South Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center. Thus far, Alberto isn't expected to make landfall, but he's got his own tropical storm warning and could mean some high winds, waves, rip tides, and rain for the area. He'll likely head out to sea and fizzle, reports the AP . More»

States working to restore boundary set in 1772

(NEWSER) - When the king of England demanded borders be set for North and South Carolina in the 1700s, surveyors battled swamps and panthers, and notched trees to demarcate the line. The boundary was officially set in 1772, and after nearly two decades of hard work, research, and some GPS help, the states are tweaking the since-shifted 335-mile-long border, restoring it to that colonial original. Unsurprisingly, there are some issues, reports the New York Times in a fascinating look at the process—and consequences. More»