Subtropical Storm Ana “meandering” offshore near Myrtle Beach

Ana became the first named system 24 days before the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season begins, and Friday forecasters said they expected the subtropical storm to come ashore this weekend in South Carolina.

The storm could bring up to five inches of rainfall, strong winds with gusts near 45 mph, isolated tornadoes and power outages, said Reid Hawkins, science and operations officer for the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C. Around 7 p.m. Friday, the storm was showing signs of “a slow transition to a tropical system” and was expected to comes ashore late Saturday.

It was unclear Friday where the storm might come ashore, but forecasters said they would monitor the system until it has moved back offshore and away from land by Wednesday morning.

“Ana has really been drifting around. It’s really meandering off over the water,” Hawkins said at 2 p.m. Friday.

Flooding will be the biggest threat from the storm, which will remain in the area into early next week, he said.

“The duration of rainfall through early next week before a cold front moves through the area late Monday to Tuesday to finally pick [Ana] up and move it out by Wednesday,” Hawkins said.

State officials along with emergency managers in Horry and Georgetown counties moved their emergency operating levels to four on Friday. That puts officials on alert and means they are discussing any potential impacts from the storm with state and weather officials, county authorities said in a releases issued Friday.

“We were fortunate to be able to discuss the storm with the Director of the National Hurricane Center in person during his Hurricane Hunter stop at Myrtle Beach on Wednesday,” said Kim Stenson, director of the S.C. Emergency Management Division. “We’ve also met with the county emergency managers and the state agencies who are a part of our Hurricane Task Force. We’re prepared to respond to any requests for state assistance.”

No emergency operation centers will be activated until the storm poses more of a threat, officials said.

“It is also a good time to review family hurricane plans, including items that may be needed such as water, batteries, flashlights, etc,” Horry County officials said in the release.

Horry and Georgetown counties along with several coastal areas in North Carolina remain under a subtropical storm warning, which means that storm conditions are possible within the watch area within the next 36 hours.

The last time a subtropical storm formed before the start of the season was in 2012 with Beryl, officials said. Ana is the earliest subtropical or tropical storm to form in the Atlantic since 2000 when another storm also named Ana formed, National Hurricane Center specialists said.

The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

If residents have outdoor plans for the weekend, they should monitor the weather because heavy bands of rain and gusty winds, especially along the immediate coast could dampen those activities, officials said.

Ana was named a subtropical storm at 11 p.m. Thursday and by 11 a.m. Friday it was located about 180 miles south-southeast of Myrtle Beach and was drifting at about a mile an hour toward the northwest, Hawkins said.

“Subtropical storms generally have their stronger winds away from the center, 80 to 120 miles out, and the rain they produce is generally not as heavy as a tropical storm,” Hawkins said. “Also they do not generally rapidly intensify . . . intensification is a slower process.”

The effects of the storm are expected to be highest Sunday as the storm moves ashore, but residents can expect to feel tropical storm winds by midday Saturday, he said.

The threat of storm surge is low with surge expected to be about 1.5 feet above tide, which will cause some “minor ocean over wash,” Hawkins said.

All of Horry and Georgetown counties remain under a rip current advisory and swimmers should remain out of the water because of heavy surf. Local officials have posted red flags warning people to stay out of the ocean at beach accesses.

“We are expected strong rip currents today and large breaking waves,” Hawkins said Friday.

No serious flooding threats are expected along area rivers such as the Waccamaw River in Conway, Hawkins said. But there could be ponding and flooding in low-lying areas, so residents living in flood-prone areas should monitor conditions.

“The storm total values through 8 a.m. Wednesday is 2 to 4 inches along the coast,” Hawkins said.

Visibility at area airports will be low from heavy rain bands and strong squalls moving across the airfields during the weekend, so air travel could be impacted, Hawkins said.

“Wind early and then it will be rain throughout until the end of that period,” Hawkins said.

Gusty winds — the strongest expected in Myrtle Beach — also could cause problems and residents should secure outdoor furniture and other hazards around their homes, officials said.

“The winds are expected to pick up to the 30 mph starting at noon tomorrow,” Hawkins said Friday. Wind “gusts near 45 mph with sustained winds 33 to 38 mph – that is probably the worst case scenario.”

Those winds also could cause isolated power outages from downed tree limbs, so residents should be prepared with their emergency supply kits.

Officials urge residents to do the following in preparation for the storm:

▪ Monitor local media and NOAA Weather Radio for the most current weather conditions.

▪ Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards and local emergency officials.

▪ Know the meaning of and obey warnings represented by colored beach flags.

▪ Be aware of potential flash flooding. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move to higher ground. Do not wait to be told to move.

▪ If time allows, prepare your home for a flood by moving essential items to an upper floor, bring in outdoor furniture, disconnect electrical appliances and be prepared to turn off the gas, electricity and water.

▪ Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

▪ Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.

To learn more about hurricanes and disasters learn what federal officials say you need to prepare, as well as what Horry County and South Carolina officials recommend on their websites.

This story was originally published May 8, 2015 at 6:09 AM with the headline "Subtropical Storm Ana “meandering” offshore near Myrtle Beach."