Hanna Hits Carolinas

(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»

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»

It carries new sand to the area, which helps prevent it from eroding

(NEWSER) - It's counterintuitive, but it's true, says a Duke University geology professor. Hurricane Irene "is just what" the Outer Banks need. In a conversation with the Los Angeles Times , Orrin Pilkey acknowledges the many, many downsides of the storm: "We are going to see an awful lot of buildings destroyed and an awful lot of buildings damaged." Wildlife will drown. Salt carried by the waves will kill vegetation. And yet, this kind of storm is what allows these islands to survive. More»

Its winds have slowed slightly, but its bite hasn't faded, say experts

(NEWSER) - The good news: Hurricane Irene's power faded slightly overnight, with the National Hurricane Center reporting that the storm's top sustained winds have slipped from 100mph to 90mph. The bad news: "The hazards are still the same," according to an NHC hurricane specialist. "The emphasis for this storm is on its size and duration, not necessarily how strong the strongest winds are." And those strong winds have officially hit North Carolina, reports the AP . More»