Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

Friday, September 03, 2010  UPDATED with video. Residents and officials of North Carolina's barrier islands were waiting for daybreak to see how much damage the storm's winds and waves had left behind.

Thursday, September 02, 2010  The National Hurricane Center says Earl's winds are now at about 110 mph and could weaken further.

Thursday, September 02, 2010  The downpours started Thursday night in several bursts as the storm's so-called rain shield whirled into the southernmost tip of the barrier islands.

Thursday, September 02, 2010  Hurricane Earl is expected to pass by well off the South Carolina coast, but its effects will evident as the storm passes.

Thursday, September 02, 2010  The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued a tropical storm warning early Thursday for the coast of Long Island in New York and a hurricane watch was issued for areas of Massachusetts.

Thursday, September 02, 2010  Hurricane Earl was barreling toward the Eastern Seaboard on Thursday with winds swirling at around 145 mph and forecasters were trying to pinpoint exactly how close the strongest winds and heaviest surge would get to North Carolina's fragile chain of barrier islands.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010  Midlands Red Cross volunteers on alert as Hurricane Earl threatens coastal residents in North Carolina.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010  Coastal North Carolina residents are moving out of the possible path of Hurricane Earl, while local Red Cross volunteers are heading out to help.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010  Due to category three Hurricane Earl and it's Tropical Storm counterpart, Fiona, a significant rip current risk will exist along South Carolina's coastline heading into the holiday weekend.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010  Forecasters say Hurricane Earl has become a Category 4 storm with top sustained winds of 135 mph as the dangerous and powerful storm heads toward the East Coast.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010  What do you think about Midlands volunteers leaving the state to help potential North Carolina hurricane victims?

Wednesday, September 01, 2010  Tourists on a North Carolina vacation destination island were ordered to board the ferries and head for the mainland Wednesday and more evacuations could be on the way as powerful Hurricane Earl threatened to sideswipe the East Coast.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010  A second North Carolina county has ordered the evacuation of people on an Outer Banks island ahead of Hurricane Earl.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010  North Carolina officials are ordering tourists and residents to leave a barrier island accessible only by ferries as powerful Hurricane Earl heads toward the U.S. coast.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010  The Category 4 hurricane, with winds of 135 mph (215 kilometers), was expected to remain over the open ocean before turning north and running parallel to the U.S. coast, potentially reaching the North Carolina coastal region by late Thursday or early Friday.