Friday, Sep. 05, 2008

Francis Marion National Forest closes

The possibility of injury from flying debris and flooding prompted the U.S. Forest Service to close Francis Marion National Forest to the public today as Tropical Storm Hanna approached the coast.

Roads through the forest in Charleston and Berkeley counties remain open to the public, but people are prohibited people aren’t allowed to use any of the recreation areas in the forest.

“We just can’t take the chance with public and employee safety,” forest supervisor Jerome Thomas said. “Even seasoned veterans to the outdoors can’t be prepared for all eventualities in a forest environment.”

The Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center on U.S. 17 near Awendaw also will be closed Friday and Saturday.

Hanna is expected to pummel the Lowcountry with 40-50 mph winds, which stronger gusts, as it passes the area overnight. The Francis Marion National Forest was hit hard by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and portions were closed to the public for months.

— Joey Holleman

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