Cleanup From Gaston Continues

CHARLESTON -- Gov. Mark Sanford declared a state of emergency Sunday as Tropical Storm Gaston brought rain and heavy winds to the South Carolina coast and then turned inland.

The storm flooded streets and knocked out power for about 150,000 homes along the coast, and more than half of those were still without power Monday morning. The storm brought heavy rains and winds near hurricane strength Sunday morning as it made landfall in the Bulls Bay area near McClellanville.

The storm gradually lost strength as it moved north through the Pee Dee. The storm was expected to bring winds up to 45 mph to the area Sunday evening before heading to North Carolina later Sunday.

Gaston is the second tropical storm in less than two weeks to hit the South Carolina coast. Earlier this month, Hurricane Charley blew over South Carolina with winds of 85 mph after devastating southwest Florida.

Sanford said South Carolina has been hit with moderate storms this season but urged residents not to grow complacent during this hurricane season.

State officials already are closely monitoring Hurricane Frances in the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center said the Category Four hurricane could pick up strength as it moves toward land later in the week.

Hours after the eye of Gaston came ashore, steady sheets of rain pelted Mount Pleasant. Tree limbs littered flooded roadways, some of which were impassable. Palmettos were pushed to the pavement and road signs twisted in the wind.

One person was injured in Charleston County when a tree fell on his home.

See Images From Gaston's Passage Through Charleston County

The National Weather Service reported peak wind gusts of 82 mph in downtown Charleston, 81 mph on the Isle of Palms and 73 mph at the East Cooper Airport in Mount Pleasant.

WYFF News 4's John Cessarich said another tropical storm, Hermine, has formed east of the Carolina coast, but the storm is expected to turn north before reaching land.

Forecasters are also watching Frances because current projections put it just off the Southeast coast by Labor Day.