Tropical Storm Hanna likely to hit region today with rain, winds

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, September, 2008 | by Anthony R. Wood Inquirer Staff Writer

Tropical Storm Hanna is threatening the region with up to two months' worth of rain and gale-force winds today, and widespread power outages and road flooding appear to be all but a certainty. The center of Hanna is forecast to pass close to the Jersey Shore later this afternoon. The heaviest rains - up to seven inches - would fall to the west of the storm, and the wind gusts, up to 60 m.p.h., would be strongest at the Shore.

Tropical-storm warnings are in effect from Delaware Bay to Sandy Hook, and sustained winds of 39 m.p.h. or higher are forecast as far west as the Pennsylvania suburbs. Coming after a generally dry summer, soaking rains and strong winds from the east are likely to take a toll on trees and power lines. "We can anticipate widespread tree damage," said...