09/05/2008

Associated Press

Tropical Storm Hanna has gathered some strength as the storm heads toward the Carolina coastline.

The National Weather Service says the storm that could bring rain and wind to North and South Carolina as early as Friday night is centered about 430 miles south of Wilmington, moving northwest at about 20 mph.

Forecasters expect the storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph to make a gradual turn northward later today and strengthen slightly before making landfall.

Residents along the southeastern Atlantic coast stocked up on food and supplies Thursday in preparation for the storm's arrival. Hurricane watches are in effect from Edisto Beach, S.C., stretching northward to Currituck Beach Light.