Hanna: 12:30 Press Conference Details

Here’s the update from Charleston County EOC from the 12:30 press conference.

EOC director Cathy Haynes simply discussed the upgrade to OPCON 2.

I went up to the information center a few minutes ago. They aren’t too busy right now. I was able to have a short conversation with one of our friends from Charleston Police Department.

Like Governor Sanford’s press conference, the focus right now is on people who live in flood-prone areas and mobile homes. They say those people should have a plan of action already.

Charleston County schools will be closed tomorrow and all afterschool activities will be suspended starting at 6:00 PM tonight.

Joe Riley, Tim Scott and Cathy Haynes will hold a 2:30 media briefing with all the latest information. I will check in again after that.

Governor Sanford Issues Voluntary Evacuation

Governor Mark Sanford just finished his Noon press conference.

He stressed the importance of operating on the side of caution. He said that he will not make decisions on suspicion or hunch.

Gov. Sanford called for a voluntary evacuation for Georgetown and Horry Counties.

The storm is expected to hit around high tide in Georgetown and those living in lower areas are encouraged to think about taking action.

70 Highway Patrolmen will be stationed at key spots on the evacuation route. Three shelters are active, but slimly staffed, one in Georgetown and two in Horry.

State offices will not close tomorrow.

We are getting ready for our 12:30 Press Conference with Charleston County EOC. More updates after that.

Shopping Before Hanna

I snapped this picture tonight when I was out buying a few odds and ends to deal with Hurricane Hanna. You know, the usual: bottles of water, beef jerky and such.

I went to a few stores to get the best deals. Not just because I do a lot of economic stories, but because I’m cheap. The hottest items seem to be bottled water, batteries, flash lights and radios.

Here in West Ashley, Wal-Mart’s bottled water shelves are becoming bare. I watched a stock guy bring out a brand new pallet of water from the back and a flock of people pounce on it.

I spoke with several shoppers who say they are preparing to ride out the storm and they wanted to get supplies before the stores sold out. One woman said she came in just to purchase water for herself, but decided to buy extra for her neighbors when she saw the emptying shelves. The canned goods aren’t moving all that fast.

As I was getting some toiletries for a long next-few-days of work, I noticed that the line at the pharmacy was way longer than usual. I heard people saying they wanted to fill their prescription before the storm or an evacuation order.

The Lowcountry Red Cross reminds that an important item that many people forget when shopping is a manual can opener. All those canned goods are useless without a manual can opener.

I am currently trying to cook up a lot of chicken breasts and cut up some cucumbers. All of my low barb foods will spoil if we lose electricity. I just did my weekly grocery shopping Sunday and I'm fully stocked with food that I've got to cook now. :sigh:

Hanna: Lowcountry Updates

Here are a few quick updates. The Charleston County Emergency Operations Center just held their first media conference for Tropical Storm / Hurricane Hanna.

Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties will move into OPCON 3 at 3:00 this afternoon. According to media contact Jennie Davis' press release, “The OPCON 3 level means that an emergency situation is likely or imminent.”

EOC personnel will go home to their families tonight to ready their property and families for Hanna. Then tomorrow they will begin 24 hour operations. We will carry their Noon media conference tomorrow afternoon on News 2.

The City of Charleston just called a press conference at city hall. It starts at 3:30. I will let you know what Mayor Joe Riley has to say once it is over.

We are also told that Lowcountry mayors will meet tomorrow morning for a briefing and to discuss needs and concerns for their particular cities.

I spoke with Lowcountry Red Cross Executive Director Louise Welch. They have "relief kits" and cots ready for use if shelters are needed in the Lowcountry.

Check out our website. We have an excellent link for resources and phone numbers .

Charleston County also has a useful web section. You can even print your own Hurricane Guide from home.

New Information On Hurricane Hanna

I know… I know. I said that I would start focusing on Hanna Wednesday, but as the information comes in, it looks like it’s time to start zeroing in on this storm too.

Our Chief Meteorologist, Rob Fowler, just e-mailed us some of the latest information on Hurricane Hanna. I thought I would quickly pass it on to the Lowcountry readers.

This first forecast indicates that it could possibly be stronger than first expected. Rob says that it could make landfall as a Category 2 system near Savannah, Georgia. It looks like Hanna will come ashore at around 2:00 PM Friday afternoon. But things could start getting wet and windy as early as Thursday night.

If you are like me, you want hard data and numbers. Rob estimates winds of 98 mph and gusts up to 120 mph. Keep in mind this is all preliminary information at this point.

As we get more reports… I will pass them along.

Oh yeah… there is another storm, that will likely become Ike, forming out there. Buckle your rain coats. It could be a long hurricane season.