Last Updated on 12/1/2008

Published on 9/2/2008

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com

Hanna is expected to be a headache for the Grand Strand -- especially on Friday -- and emergency officials are gearing up for Georgetown County's first blow from a tropical system this year.

As of late Tuesday night, Tropical Storm Hanna was still expected to make landfall sometime Friday along the S.C. coast. That, of course, could change slightly or dramatically over the next two days.

The National Hurricane Center predicted Hanna would have winds of about 80-85 MPH when she makes landfall.

Local and state Emergency Operation Center officials began holding conference calls at around midday Tuesday.

Georgetown County EOC Director Mike Mock said a briefing for all emergency officials and the media will be held at 10 a.m. today. He said it may be required by this evening to move the operation status to OPCON 3 with a limited crew manning the EOC around the clock.

Based on the current projected strength of Hanna, Mock predicts any evacuations will be mainly for areas east of U.S. Highway 17.

The Georgetown Times will update its Web site -- www.gtowntimes.com -- with information from the briefing.

Other agencies also spent Tuesday making initial preparations in case Hanna's projected path holds true.

"Right now it really doesn't look good for Thursday or Friday."

That's what Georgetown County School Superintendent Dr. Randy Dozier said about Hanna's outlook.

He said part of getting ready for a strong tropical storm or hurricane takes a lot of time. Steps include backing up all the district's computers in case they are damaged or destroyed.

"That takes a lot of time to do," said Dozier.

If it still looks like Georgetown County will receive a punch from Hanna then district vehicles and school buses will all be moved to the Pleasant Hill area today.

"We don't want to leave the vehicles in areas prone to flooding," said Dozier.

He said he is keeping close tabs with the Emergency Operations Center and if voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders are issued, schools will be closed.

Parents can call the district's information hotline -- 436-7043 -- to find out if schools are going to close and when they are expected to reopen if they do close.

Georgetown County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Neil Johnson said Sheriff Lane Cribb met with his staff Tuesday and they were told if any evacuations are needed, no one will be allowed to take any vacation time until the threat subsides.

Georgetown City firefighters were placed on "alert" early Tuesday.

Assistant Fire Chief Bill Johnson -- spokesman for the City during emergency situations -- said the city is "making preparations" in the event Hanna does strike the area.

"We have alerted our personnel that they may have to come to work early Thursday. We are checking all of our generators and making sure they are gassed up," he said.

Even if Hanna spares the Grand Strand, Tropical Storm Ike and Tropical Storm Josephine are still out there so there is a possibility the area could be under the gun again next week.

Johnson said City Administrator Steve Thomas meets with city staff each Wednesday so more details about the city's preparations will be released today.

In the event Georgetown County goes under a hurricane watch, the city's radio station -- WGEO 105.7 FM -- will begin broadcasting non-stop weather information as well as other bulletins from authorities.

The Georgetown Times will continue to update this Web site with the latest Hanna information as released by the National Hurricane Center and any other storm-related messages that are issued.