Easley declares state of emergency

[gateley]

Source: WRAL.com

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Mike Easley has declared a state of emergency for North Carolina, the first step in seeking federal assistance to deal with Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike, if it hits the state.

"This lets me legally activate all the resources the state has (and) it's the first step to asking the federal government for assistance," Easley said.

As of Thursday afternoon, the storm's center was about 670 miles south-southeast of Wilmington, moving northwest at 14 mph, with sustained winds near 65 mph. Hurricane strength is 74 mph.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford called for voluntary evacuations along the state's northern coast Thursday as Tropical Storm Hanna slowly moved toward the U.S.

more at link

Read more: WRAL.com

[tekisui]

1. Ike is the one to watch. Hanna isn't supposed to be more than a CAT1

But, Ike is already CAT 4.

We need rain, but not flooding or damage.

[gateley]

2. Is Ike forecasted to come this way, too?

I know they're already seeing beach erosion here from Hanna - I hope it doesn't get much worse for those people on the Coast.

Even here, inland, we can tell when a storm passes by up the coast. I can't imagine what a BIG ONE would be like (I wasn't here for Fran, but I've heard lots of stories!)

[tekisui]

3. Ike is too far out to know for sure, but it's big.

Fran and another one that year came all the way to Asheville, and flooded the place. It was unreal. It burst a main water line, and the whole city was without water for 3 days, even though parts near the river had water up to the hood of cars. It was a mess.

[gateley]

6. I don't even think of Asheville when I hear of a storm, because you're so far

inland. That is absolutely amazing. (Although there was something, within the last few years, where I remember seeing flooding there - a photo of the little town/area/street around the Biltmore...?)

[tekisui]

8. That's the one I'm talking about.

Biltmore, which is essientally a part of Asheville, was hardest hit.

There was an upright piano that got washed into a cornfield from an antique store and sat there for a couple weeks.

Some business never made it back from the flooding.

[LonelyLRLiberal]

4. We just got weak remnants of Gustav in Arkansas - surprising disruptions

Lots of downed trees, power outages, flooding, even phone service disruptions. I didn't even really notice much wind in LR, but have no power or phone at home now for two days. I don't want to see what even a TS or Cat1 would bring.

[gateley]

5. I know! Just the outer edges of a storm can wreak havoc.

I can't even imagine what it would be like to be in the thick of it.

I hope you're up and running soon! :pals:

[LonelyLRLiberal]

7. It's inconvenient, but I have to think of the people on the coast!

The disruptions in their lives run far beyond just a couple of days without electricity.