‘Hanna’ likely to skirt region

Depending on its track, Tropical Storm Hanna is anticipated to provide much-needed relief to ground parched from days of lack of rain, but because of its course and speed is not expected to be a flood threat here.

"We should get just 1 to 2 inches of rain today, unless it stays to the east and we might not get anything," Kelle Robinson, an administrative assistant with the Lycoming County Emergency Management Agency said, as she watched the National Weather Service radar screen as the storm close in on the Southeast Coast bringing torrential rain and high winds.

The National Weather Service in State College forecasters predict rain is likely today, with additional amounts tonight as the storm sweeps up the East Coast.

Robinson did not spot any wind advisories because of the storm in the Williamsport area but farther to the east the gusts could reach 40 mph.

Those traveling southeast and east might want to adjust their plans.

The National Weather Service is warning that Tropical Storm Hanna could drop as much as 7 inches of rain in the Philadelphia area.

The storm also is projected to usher in winds of more than 40 mph as it soaks eastern Pennsylvania from dawn to dusk today.

That's a recipe for potential power outages, if rain softens the ground and then high winds topple trees.

About 3 inches of rain is expected in Harrisburg, York and Lancaster, with much lighter winds.

State emergency planners are keeping their eye on Hanna and are asking county officials to inform them of any storm-related problems.

Once over land, Hanna will speed up the Interstate 95 corridor, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds to the major cities from Richmond to Boston, AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist John Kocet said.

"This storm will do some damage, much like winter nor'easters that are even more powerful."

The fast forward speed will limit rain amounts along the East Coast. Up to 8 inches will fall over eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, while 2 to 4 inches is forecast from eastern South Carolina to southern New England.

The rain will spark localized flooding and flash flooding, while winds gusting from 40 to 60 mph could topple trees and power lines. The combination of wind and rain will cause problems for motorists and could lead to flight delays at the major airports along the Eastern Seaboard. The highest wind gusts will be on the beaches and areas just to the east of the storm center.

The storm surge of 3 to 6 feet above normal tides could cause coastal flooding and beach erosion, especially along the Outer Banks, Long Island and Cape Cod.

It was too early to say what the impacts of strong Hurricane Ike could pose as it becomes a threat to Florida. Tropical Storm Josephine, while still many days away from the Caribbean, also is on forecasters' minds.

As always, should the rains fall in droves, Lycoming County's Web site www.lyco.org has a Flood Ready information section.

The site offers information on county stream and staff gauges, Susquehanna River levels, watershed rainfall amounts and road closures.