Hurricane Stories

• Swimmers, boaters told to stay away from water as Irene approaches
  Emergency officials warned boaters and swimmers in Beaufort County and other coastal communities in the Carolinas to stay on land today and Saturday as Hurricane Irene marches toward the U.S. mainland.

• Thursday to prove decisive for Hurricane Irene's trajectory
  S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley said Wednesday the state plans no evacuations in advance of Hurricane Irene as projections continue to show the big, powerful storm missing the state.

• County officials say hurricane response not hampered by Winn's resignation
  With Hurricane Irene churning hundreds of miles away in the Atlantic Ocean, Beaufort County workers cleared storm sewer intakes and made sure electronic road signs are in working order.

• Irene preparations run smoothly despite resignation, says county administrator
  Beaufort County officials said today their response to Hurricane Irene will not be hampered by the resignation of William Winn, a 32-year county employee best known for his expertise in hurricane response.

• Hurricane Center warns of more named storms as Emily wanes
  Though the remnants of Tropical Storm Emily likely will not pose a threat to the Southeast coast this weekend, national weather forecasters warn coastal residents not to become complacent about future storms.

• Tropical Storm Emily might miss Lowcountry, forecasters say
  Weather forecasters and local officials were keeping a close eye Wednesday on a poorly organized tropical storm that could move past South Carolina this weekend but likely will get only close enough to stir up the surf.

• Haley preaches hurricane readiness during Beaufort visit
  South Carolina is only as prepared for a hurricane as its residents and businesses are, Gov. Nikki Haley said Friday during a visit to Beaufort.

• Technology aids communication about storms, but it's 'not a panacea'
  Andrew Rein had a familiar routine whenever a severe storm threatened his childhood home of Birmingham, Ala.

• How good - and what good - are hurricane forecasts?
  Long before hurricane season begins, forecasts and predictions for the number and intensity of tropical storms make headlines.

• 'Storm-free' doesn't necessarily mean lower homeowners insurance rates
  You might think you're due for a break on your homeowners insurance. After all, it's been more than 20 years since the Lowcountry's last memorable hurricane, Hugo, struck in 1989.

• Memories of Hurricane Gracie's devastation long endure
  Beaufort County residents knew for weeks destruction was on its way in September 1959.

• A hurricane is coming: Quick, what do you do?
  If a huge force of nature with the energy of several hundred hydrogen bombs comes barreling toward the Lowcountry, residents should be prepared for decisions and deadlines.

• A list of hurricane storm names for the 2011 season
  Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms have been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane Center. Originally, only women's names were used, but in 1979, men's names were introduced in an alternating pattern.

• Taking care of pets - and taking them with you in an evacuation - part of hurricane preparation
  As they make their hurricane preparations, pet owners must consider the needs of their animals.

• Take steps to secure your boat ahead of storm's approach
  Boat owners are advised to get their boats out of area marinas during a hurricane evacuation.

• Should you stay or should you go? Make decision wisely
  If a Category 1, 2 or 3 hurricane approaches Beaufort County, some residents might have a choice to evacuate or ride out the storm.

• La Nina will weaken in summer, affect storm season
  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- One major factor in whether the Atlantic Ocean will experience an active 2011 hurricane season is fluctuating thousands of miles away in the Pacific.

• Satellite funding worries federal forecasters
  MIAMI -- Funding for storm-tracking satellites is worrying the director of the National Hurricane Center and the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

• A glossary of hurricane-related terms
  Eye: The center portion of the storm around which winds and rain rotate. Winds are calm and skies are clear or partly cloudy when the eye of a storm passes.

• Thinking about returning home after a storm? Here's what you need to know
  Beaufort County officials want to make sure residents know the correct procedures when re-entering the county after evacuating. Here's what you should know:

• A list of Red Cross hurricane shelters nearby
  If a hurricane evacuation is ordered, Red Cross shelters will open across the state. Although the shelters are open to all, Red Cross officials encourage people to evacuate as far west as possible.

• Explaning the Saffir-Simpson Scale, hurricane strength
  A high-intensity hurricane in Beaufort County could cause flooding, major damage to buildings and require mass evacuations to safer ground. Not all hurricanes, however, would bring such devastation. The National Weather Service groups hurricanes into five categories based on their wind speed.

• Hurricane season kicks into gear this time of year
  Hurricane Earl's local impact should be limited to a high surf and dangerous rip currents.

• Hilton Head officials keep an eye on Hurricane Earl -- and what might come next
  Emergency management officials in southern Beaufort County kept an eye Hurricane Earl's progress across the Atlantic on Tuesday, even as it appeared the storm would have little impact on the state's coastline.

• Beaufort's emergency management crews review hurricane plans -- just in case
  Despite forecasts indicating there is little chance Beaufort County will bear the brunt of Hurricane Earl, city of Beaufort officials refused to be caught flat-footed Tuesday as the powerful storm churned toward the East Coast.