Tropical depression Ana makes landfall in South Carolina
Digital Reporter
Sunday, May 10, 2015, 1:59 PM - The first tropical storm of the year has made landfall in South Carolina, arriving with sustained winds of over 70 kilometres per hour.
Subtropical storm Ana developed Thursday night about 265 km south-southeast of Myrtle Beach.
The storm kicks off the tropical storm season in the Atlantic basin about one month ahead of schedule.
Ana is weakening as it moves inland, and was downgraded to a tropical depression Sunday afternoon.
But the storm still threatens the parts of the eastern seaboard with bands of heavy rain, driving winds and storm surges.
More then 150 millimetres of rain is forecast for some areas, and local communities are bracing for potential flooding and power outages.
#Flooding on W end of Ocean Isle Beach, NC moments ago. (Credit: @weatherchannel FB friend Greg Agee). #Ana pic.twitter.com/bghKDmZTDF
— Jonathan Erdman (@wxjerdman) May 10, 2015
A tropical storm watch was issued for the coast from Edisto Beach, S.C., to Cape Lookout, N.C.
On Friday, it brought heavy bands of rain to the eastern Carolinas.
"We have had tropical storms and hurricanes in May before – including a Category 3 storm in 1951, which was named Able," said Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham.
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The last time a subtropical storm developed in the Atlantic in May was in 2007. That storm was named Andrea.
"There remains a lot of uncertainty whether or not this could find it's way into Atlantic Canada. Some residual effects could have a notable impact including an enhancement of moisture over Atlantic Canada," said Weather Network meteorologist Brett Soderholm.
The last storm to be named Ana formed even earlier in 2003. It remains the only recorded Atlantic storm to form in the month of April.
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First named storm of the year in Atlantic is a #Subtropical one (#Ana) And it's barely moving off Carolina coast. https://t.co/OvszdI28Zd
— Chris Murphy TWN (@MurphTWN) May 8, 2015
Subtropical Storm #Ana expected to move slowly toward the SE U.S. GOES image, 8:45 am EDT. https://t.co/kJY6EXvLzX pic.twitter.com/Ciga1vbvSu
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) May 8, 2015
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking between August and September. The six-month period encompasses the most active times for tropical storms in the Atlantic basin.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking between August and September. The six-month period encompasses the most active times for tropical storms in the Atlantic basin.
Early predictions suggest the 2015 season will be relatively quiet -- but experts are quick to point out the storms that a 'quiet' season doesn't mean 'not destructive.'
-- With files from digital reporter Cheryl Santa Maria
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