No Problem

Tropical Storm Hanna struck the North Carolina-South Carolina border last night, causing minor flooding and brief power outages along the Grand Strand but sparing both states any serious damage.

The storm, which is currently making its way up the Eastern Seaboard, made landfall at around 3:20 a.m. with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

From The (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) Sun News:

Horry and Georgetown counties reported no major problems from Hanna, and damage seemed minor in Brunswick County at daybreak. Red Cross shelters closed this morning in Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties after housing 276 people Friday night. Nearly all the power had been restored by early today.

In Horry County, beach erosion had been reported along Shore Drive and significant rainfall recorded inland such as 5 inches in Aynor, said Lisa Bourcier, Horry County’s spokeswoman. The tidal surge was 2 to 3 feet above normal and winds gusted up to 50 mph during Hanna’s pass along the Grand Strand, she said.

Looks like the Palmetto State has dodged another bullet, as the streak of nineteen years without a major hurricane making landfall in South Carolina continues … for now, at least.

Forecasters continue to track Hurricane Ike out in the open Atlantic, although that storm seems to be targeting Florida and could potentially (oh boy) threaten the gulf coast and the city of New Orleans.

Seriously, what is it with New Orleans and hurricanes lately? It’s like it has a storm magnet, or the equivalent of a “Hit Me” sign taped to its back …