Friday, Sep. 05, 2008

Voluntary evacuation suggested, tepidly

Gov. Mark Sanford suggested Thursday that some residents or visitors in Horry and Georgetown counties might want to voluntarily evacuate as Tropical Storm Hanna approached the state’s northeast coast.

But conscious of a potentially more dangerous storm on the horizon — Hurricane Ike — Sanford had little urgency in his voice.

“It’s very important that people don’t overreact,” he said. “We don’t want to cry wolf. ... This could be a dress rehearsal for a thing called Ike, but time will tell.”

Sanford called the emergency efforts a “run-through” in anticipation of a busy September of hurricane threats.

Hanna finally began its race north Thursday. The forecast calls for 40-50 mph winds, 4 inches of rain and high surf along the immediate Horry County coast late today and early Saturday.

But the eye of the storm — and the most potent weather on its northeast side — are expected to remain offshore of South Carolina. The National Hurricane Center expects landfall at tropical storm strength near Wilmington, N.C., early Saturday.

Sanford made it clear he doesn’t think everyone in Horry and Georgetown counties needs to flee from Hanna. Only three emergency shelters were opened in the two counties.

People who live east of U.S. 17, who live in mobile homes, who live in wind- or flood-prone areas or who are vacationing in campers should consider moving inland today, Sanford said.

The staff at Myrtle Beach State Park, which is on the front beach, tried to inform campers of the evacuation choices. “We emphasize that it’s voluntary,” said park manager Gerald Ives. “But we strongly encourage them to leave.”

They had one problem: Most campers were strolling the beach and hard to find. People in seven of the 40 occupied camp sites had decided to leave by midafternoon, Ives said.

Hanna is expected to move quickly, which means rain-induced flooding should be minimal. But if, as expected, the worst of the storm arrives offshore during high tide around 1 a.m. Saturday, storm surge of 4-6 feet could arrive on top of a higher-than-normal tide. That could overtop dunes and push tidal creeks well out of their banks.

Under the voluntary evacuation, 75 law enforcement officers were dispatched to important intersections leading inland from the Grand Strand. Evacuation shelters were opened at Pleasant Hill Elementary in Georgetown County and South Conway Elementary and Loris Elementary in Horry County.

School districts canceled classes today in Beaufort, Charleston, Georgetown and Horry counties, and Horry County offices will be closed.

Hanna should have little impact in the Midlands. The National Weather Service forecast winds of 10-15 mph and a 30 percent chance of showers tonight and Saturday.

Reach Holleman at (803) 771-8366.

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