Ophelia Edges Toward South Carolina

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Tropical Storm Ophelia is drifting toward the South Carolina coast Tuesday morning.

The National Hurricane Center said the storm is still expected to turn north and then northeast and make landfall between Cape Fear and Cape Lookout, N.C., around midday Wednesday.

The storm is expected to get within 50 or 60 miles of Myrtle Beach by early Wednesday morning.

A hurricane warning is in effect from Georgetown north to Surf City, N.C.. A hurricane watch and tropical storm warning are in effect from Georgetown south to Edisto Beach.

An inland tropical storm warning is in effect for Dillon, Florence, Marion and Williamsburg counties.

A flood watch is in effect for Berkley, Charleston, Dorchester and Horry counties. Officials say 2 to 6 inches of rain are possible in the Myrtle Beach area.

Winds of 35 to 45 mph are possible along the coast, with higher gusts.

Gov. Mark Sanford asked for voluntary evacuations along the coast in Horry, Georgetown and northern Charleston counties. The is roughly defined as east of U.S. 17 north of state Highway 41.

The evacuation affects people on barrier islands, oceanfront property, property in low-lying areas and property along rivers and streams.