Augusta prepares for possible Hanna evacuees

As residents along the Atlantic coast brace for what might come with Hanna, Augusta is preparing for evacuees.

The area is prepared to take in up to 1800 evacuees from the Georgia and South Carolina coasts.

The civic center downtown, also known as the James Brown Arena, will open as a shelter at noon on Thursday.

"We'll be bringing in cots and setting up beds in that area," says Jo Maypole, director of the American Red Cross in Augusta. "We're also putting plans together to bring in meals and also counseling, emotional support."

Warren Baptist Church and Wesley United Methodist Church, in Columbia County, will serve as backup shelters.

It appears that, for now, Augusta will be spared severe weather from Hanna, say local officials.

For more information about shelters in the Augusta area, call the American Red Cross at (706) 724-8481.

Hanna watch continues

Officials at the Georgia Emergency Management headquarters in Atlanta are monitoring Hanna to see whether Georgia will be affected. Hanna has been moving slowing and changing direction throughout the day. Current prediction show that it will move towards Myrtle Beach and only effect parts of the Georgia coast. But things can change officials say.

“There are no evacuations voluntary or mandatory at this time," says Kandice Eldon, a GEMA spokesperson.
“ We want residents to still be on alert because things can still change within 24 hours. “

Eldon says equipment and manpower is on stand should the path of the storm change.

UPDATE: Tropical Storm Hanna

Tropical storm Hanna is still headed toward South Carolina. Landfall is expected Friday; however, Georgia Emergency Management Agency officials say, “Hanna’s path can still shift to Georgia.” Overnight the storm did not gain momentum, but scientists predict it will gain speed and strength. By the end of today officials should decide whether or not to issue a voluntary evacuation for coastal residents, especially those residing on the barrier islands.