Hanna... (Charleston: homes, high schools, weather)

[kev4heels]

Originally Posted by tennreb

I am new to the area, but I have significant ties to South Louisiana and the Mississippi Coast. Evacuating is a hassle, but if you knew what these people went through you wouldn't mess with nature. Katrina was a Cat 3 when it hit the Mississippi Coast. The category system does not tell the full picture. Katrina was a horrifying experience for all who stayed, even those 40 miles inland. Even those not physically harmed suffered mental trauma with long lasting effects. I will not be evacuating for Hanna unless it it is a Cat 5 because I have to be at MUSC and I am single adult male without pets. Otherwise, there is no way I'd endanger my family or my pets, even for a Cat 1. You are crazy if you do. There's a solution to the traffic: leave early.

Seriously...after going through Hugo in September of 1989, I will now leave anytime a category 3 or above is projected to hit Charleston (maybe even high cat 2). These storms are much more dangerous than they appear to be on TV. Hanna doesn't appear to be near that strong so I think we should be okay...

[Stella2]

I'm in Del Webb and I am amazed at the preparations. Many are just staying here...some are leaving. Most people who are from the area decided to stay saying they been through this before. We are from the North and and we have never evacuated during any hurricane or blizzard...including the Blizzard of "78 Didn't think a Catergory 1 was that bad. Hope I'm right.

[DJShymansky]

Just be responsible. There's nothing wrong with getting your hurricane kits started now anyway. You might need them for later in the season if another storm hits. Stock up on water bottles, batteries, flashlights, (a generator if you want to go all out), canned food, medical supplies, some cash set aside in case of power outages and ATM's not working, etc etc etc.

[Luvsdabeach]

This storm isn't impressive at all. I'm more concerned with the tornados than anything. Especially if it hits south of Charleston. One local meterologist is thinking this may just skirt the coast.....who knows! Right now it's a guessing game.

Ike is way more impressive and it looks like it may head into the gulf.

[waccamatt]

Just keep in mind that a hurricane can strengthen from a category 1 to a category 3 or a category 2 to a 4 in a mere 6 hours, especially when crossing the gulf stream. If I lived on a barrier island or surge-prone area and there was even a slim possibility of getting hit, I would leave. The South Carolina coast from Georgetown south is very prone to storm surge and a category 3 or 4 hurricane hitting in the right place would put almost all of Beaufort County under storm surge flooding, likewise for all of the barrier islands, the peninsula and much of Mount Pleasant. Why take a chance with your life?

[lpyrbby]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

Just keep in mind that a hurricane can strengthen from a category 1 to a category 3 or a category 2 to a 4 in a mere 6 hours, especially when crossing the gulf stream. If I lived on a barrier island or surge-prone area and there was even a slim possibility of getting hit, I would leave. The South Carolina coast from Georgetown south is very prone to storm surge and a category 3 or 4 hurricane hitting in the right place would put almost all of Beaufort County under storm surge flooding, likewise for all of the barrier islands, the peninsula and much of Mount Pleasant. Why take a chance with your life?

I have to agree, that if I lived right on the coast, my hiney would be moving inland. To stay on the coast in a hurricane in my opinion is just plain stupid. The police don't knock on doors asking for next of kin for no reason...

[SCBeaches]

Hugo was a terrifying experience and I suffered from mild PTS for several years afterward - only when it got windy. L-O-N-G story.....but we "evactuated" from James Island to, of all places, Hannahan. (Duh...not quite far enough, ya think?) The roof ripped off the home where we were staying with friends and an elderly neighbor lady died (yes, literally) of a heart attack while we were all crouching down in the hallway. Two days of h*ll that I don't ever want to repeat! My car was crushed from an oak tree, my home was flooded and had trees on the roof, my school had trees on the roof, and my church had trees through the windows and roof. I found out how quickly your whole world can turn upside down! Then, of course the aftermath was another story....

From then on, anything over a CAT 1 finds my tail lights disappearing over the horizon towards the NW!

[waccamatt]

As an example of what I just posted, a special advisory was just issued on Ike, which is a few days behind Hanna - from 5pm to 8pm this evening, Ike went from an 80 mph category 1 to a 115 mph category 3 in just 3 hours. Hugo did something similar in 1989 when it crossed the Gulf Stream.

[Tinabean]

Hey guys, please, please, please plan to move to safer ground if the forecast narrows to a hit on the SC Coast. If you are on the fence, GO. I have a small little place there...my dream come true place. I've only had it a few months and I'm sad to think about losing it but there is NO thing that can not be replaced with time. Your lives and your pets lives are in your hands. And encourage everyone around you to go. This is YOUR chance to save lives....including your own.

[reubenray]

Whew - big changes in the 8 PM forecast shows Hanna not hitting the coast at all until around Wilmington, NC. Here is the link.

Tropical Storm HANNA