Hanna not likely to affect area

Though Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has declared a state of emergency in the face of Tropical Storm Hanna, officials expect the Lynchburg area to stay largely untouched, save for some rain and a little wind.

Meteorologist Robert Stonefield, with the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, said the area will probably only receive an inch or so of rain when Hanna hits Virginia.

Track Hanna

“Hanna will not be anything like Fay coming through (Central Virginia),” Stonefield said.

Fay dropped almost 3 inches of rain on the region last month.

The amount of rain, the area receives, he said, depends on the track of the storm, whether it moves farther inland.

Paula Jones, Lynchburg’s public affairs manager for VDOT, said crews will be ready should the storm bring any significant problems, and “tiger teams” will also stand ready to assist other areas that suffer more impact.

“Like everyone else, we’re monitoring things carefully,” she said.

Jones said, even in cases where not much damage is expected, citizens should still be vigilant, and not let the weather take them by surprise.

“Watching for the signs of imminent flooding or the possibility of tornadoes … and deciding what it is you may need to get you through,” she said.

Kaine is advising coastal residents of southeastern Virginia to stay informed about the storm and possible hazardous conditions.

He told reporters during a teleconference Thursday there are no plans to evacuate coastal residents as the storm makes its way up the Atlantic coast. He said that prospect appears unlikely, based on Hanna’s likely path.

The governor said the latest forecasts suggest the Virginia coast could see winds of 40 to 60 mph, rainfall of 2 to 4 inches and tides 2 to 4 feet above normal.

Kaine said coastal residents should be preparing now. He suggested they monitor media updates on the storm, have supplies in place in the event of power failures and prepare for an evacuation if the worst occurs.

- The Associated Press contributed.