Raleigh in path of Hanna

State bracing for triple threat

RALEIGH -- The Triangle's eyes are fixed on a trio of storms creeping toward the Atlantic Coast, a triple punch that could drench and pummel the region starting Friday evening.

Tropical Storm Hanna has already moved the kickoff of at least a dozen high school football games to Thursday night, and it threatens to drench the downtown Raleigh Wide Open party expected to draw thousands for a Chuck Berry concert Friday.

There's no rain-check on rock.

"We pay Chuck Berry regardless," city spokeswoman Jayne Kirkpatrick said. "If it's just steady rain, we're going to go ahead with it. If it's a life-threatening situation, we're not."

With Hanna hunkering near the Bahamas, its wind speed slowed to 65 mph, the Triangle's fate depends on where it makes landfall -- anywhere from north Florida or somewhere near the mouth of the Cape Fear River.

"It could wobble and meander," said Brandon Vincent, meteorologist with the National Weather Service. But, "The official track has it going right over Raleigh Friday evening."

The Triangle's potential for hurricane winds and heavy flooding depends on where Hanna makes landfall and whether it picks up speed after lumbering over the Bahamas.

A slow-moving storm, like last week's remnants of Tropical Storm Fay, could soak the already wet ground and create floods.

That would leave the ground saturated by the time Tropical Storm Ike moves into the Caribbean on Sunday, with another blow from Tropical Storm Josephine waiting offshore.

Gov. Mike Easley activated the state's Emergency Response Team on Tuesday, including 25 swift water rescue teams; 11 urban search-and-rescue teams; 36 wilderness search-and-rescue teams; and, 34 medical assistance teams.

The state's emergency warehouse already has enough stockpiled food to provide meals for 50,000 for a day-and-a-half and enough water for one day.

"Basically, we all have 36 to 48 hours to get prepared for this storm, and then there could be another one right behind it,'' Easley said in a news release. "So it is very important for everybody to have their emergency kit including three days of food, funds, fuel and clothes ready and have their evacuation plan in place."

Meanwhile, Falls Lake remained just below flood levels and Jordan Lake rose slightly above, prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release water before the coming storms.

If Hanna hits, watch for stepped-up releases.

Raleigh Wide Open, which celebrates the opening of the $221 million convention center, is likely the largest event that depends on a weak showing from Hanna. The party starts at noon Friday, runs into Friday night and starts again on 11 a.m. Saturday with dozens of bands performing downtown. Past Raleigh Wide Open events have drawn tens of thousands.

Kirkpatrick said city officials will make the on-or-off call on Thursday morning, but the event's date won't change.

It's like Christmas," she said. "It comes Dec. 25 and that's it."