[StBernard] Hurricane Season

[Westley Annis]

Here we go again!
 
 
 
Updated:2007-05-09 19:25:44
 
Andrea's Winds and Waves Buffet Coast
 
By RUSS BYNUM
AP
TYBEE ISLAND, GA. (May 9) - Five-foot waves crashed by the pier and 26 mph
gusts whipped clouds of sand into the faces of tourists as the first named
storm of 2007 formed Wednesday off the Georgia coast - three weeks before
the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Subtropical Storm Andrea churned Wednesday about 100 miles southeast of
Savannah. The National Hurricane Center predicted the storm wouldn't pose
much of a threat. But its early appearance was unnerving to some in this
beach tourist town. 

"I don't think it's a good sign," said Ashley Pagan, 24, who took cover from
the wind during a cigarette break outside the beach side souvenir shop where
she works. "It's not even hurricane season. That's kind of scary." 

The storm had top sustained winds of about 45 mph Wednesday. The hurricane
center in Miami issued a tropical storm watch for parts of Georgia and
Florida, meaning tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours. 

"We're not looking at this system strengthening significantly," said Richard
Pasch, a senior hurricane specialist at the center. "We're not viewing this
as a major threat."