Hurricane Irene Forecast Avoids Lowcountry

Aug. 24, 5 p.m.: Hurricane Irene continued to strengthen Wednesday afternoon, with winds at 120 mph as it moved closer toward the Bahamas. The storm is expected to reach 135 mph, making it a Category 4 before it heads into the open waters and on to likely impact coastal North Carolina.

The major hurricane is expected to stay far enough off the South Carolina coast to avoid significant impacts in the Lowcountry. Showers and thunderstorms are expected Friday night.

Aug. 24, 12:45 p.m.: In a press conference Wednesday, Gov. Nikki Haley said no evacuations are expected as the track for Hurricane Irene stays off the coast.

Near the North Carolina border, Myrtle Beach and Cherry Grove will need to monitor the storm, but "this is now something the counties can handle," Haley said.

The state will continue to monitor the storm for any last-minute turns, Haley said. "If you see me come back out here for another press conference, something's up," she said.

Emergency Operations in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorechester counties will return to Opcon 4 at 3 p.m. today, largely closing the Emergency Operations Center, but continuing to monitor the storm.

Aug. 24, 11 a.m.: The lastest projected path for Hurricane Irene would send the storm up the South Carolina coast late Friday, but should keep a safe distance from the Lowcountry.

At 11 a.m., the storm was a Category 3 with 115 mph winds. It's expected to run up the coast, possibly impacting the state at the North Carolina border, but hopefully remaining far enough off the coast to avoid any real damage.

The National Weather Service forecast for Friday night continues to suggest a chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Aug. 24, 8 a.m.: Hurricane Irene became a Category 3 storm Wednesday morning, with winds reaching 115 mph as it headed toward the Bahamas. The Weather Channel reports that the storm is about 355 miles southeast of Nassau.

The latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center puts Irene roughly 190 miles off the Charleston coast late Friday night with wind speeds up to 120 mph.

The National Weather Service forecast for Friday night warns of possible tropical storm conditions with showers and thunderstorms likely.

The threat for a U.S. landfall appears greatest along North Carolina's sea islands, but Horry County also needs to monitor the storm.

Gov. Nikki Haley's office said Wednesday morning via Facebook that state and local officials were continuing to meet and make preparations.