South Carolina Relaxes; North Carolina Braces For Hurricane Isabel

SNEADS FERRY, N.C. -- South Carolina officials closed their Emergency Operations Center as Hurricane Isabel bears down on Cape Lookout, N.C

Spokesman Joe Farmer said the state could quickly reactivate the center if needed. But Farmer said there are no significant problems in South Carolina.

A tropical storm warning is still in effect for Georgetown and Horry counties Thursday morning.

But Farmer said emergency operations centers in both counties are closed. He said officials in those counties are monitoring conditions.

At 8 a.m., Myrtle Beach reported winds of 23 mph, with gusts up to 29 mph. Gusts of up to 45 mph are expected by late Thursday.

There's a 50 percent chance of rain today on the Grand Strand. It is raining on the beach this morning.

Schools are closed in Georgetown County. They are open in Horry County.

Farther up the Atlantic Coast, WYFF News 4's Beth Brotherton reported heavy rain and gusty winds just off Topsail Island, N.C. as the hurricane's outer rain bands come ashore. A curfew takes effect there at 12 p.m. Thursday until 4 a.m. Friday.

"The maximum winds are supposed to be 74 mph. We've been here for 74 mph winds before, so we know it will be a big blow, but not a consistent one. We'd be safer here than trying to go somewhere else," Ed Drudge said.

Officials said the greatest danger from Isabel will be from the storm surge, as the hurricane is expected to make landfall around the same time as high tide. Winds have dropped slightly to 100 mph.

70 Duke Power crews left Greenville for staging areas in Chapel Hill and Durham, N.C. They will help local crews repair any power problems caused by Isabel.

Stay tuned to WYFF News 4 and TheCarolinaChannel.com for the latest information.