Hurricane Hannah Threat The Bahamas And U.S. East Coast

Tropical Storm Hannah, which started in the south Atlantic Coast of Bahamas Islands, is strengthening to hurricane of the first degree. According to the National Center for forecasting in Miami wind speed is 75 miles per hour (120km/h).

As a Category I hurricane strengthens and heads toward the East Coast, local officials are asking residents to be prepared for what might come.

Hurricane Hanna formed Monday, hitting the Caribbean with maximum sustained winds near 80 mph. A hurricane warning went into effect in the central Bahamas, the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Much of Virginia is likely to see some rain, as a result of Hurricane Hanna, on Friday night and into Saturday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Anita Silverman of Blacksburg, adding that the Appalachian Mountains are projected to get 2 to 4 inches.

“There’s a low probability at this point,” for excessive rainfall in the state, she said. Nonetheless, she said people who live near areas prone to floods should: “be prepared to move if you need to.” Charlottesville spokesman Ric Barrick wrote in a statement, “It is never too early to start preparing for any weather-related emergency.”

“Although Hanna’s arrival is still questionable for our area, there are several other storms brewing in the Atlantic that may pose a risk to our East Coast,” Barrick wrote.

On the city’s Web site, viewers can sign up for emergency e-mails and text messages, and read tips on how to prepare for emergencies.

By Friday, Hurricane Hanna is projected to hit somewhere near Georgia’s border with South Carolina — which some say could change — and it’s too early to know just how strong the hurricane will be when it hits the coast, Silverman said.