Weakened Ophelia Rests Near Carolina Coast

[NVMojo]

1 hour, 43 minutes ago

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Ophelia kept up its teasing dance along the coast of the Carolinas on Monday, dropping slightly in strength from hurricane to tropical storm as it barely moved toward land.

Although Ophelia was centered more than 200 miles offshore, nonresidents were ordered to leave one of North Carolina's Outer Banks islands and 300 National Guard troops were sent to mustering points along the coast. School systems in five counties closed, even though the storm's eye was predicted to remain offshore until Wednesday.

Many people acknowledged they were paying closer attention to Ophelia because of the vast destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast. Others insisted they wouldn't let the milder storm disrupt their plans.

"My family is all coming in for a family reunion, including my 84-year-old mother," said Dodie Curtis, 62, of Gilford, Maine, on the shore at Wrightsville Beach. "This is our family thing and we don't plan to go anywhere unless it gets a lot worse."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050913/ap_on_re_us/tropical_weather

[tsuki]

1. Lay in your supplies. Please include gallons of bleach. An item most

often forgotten. And also creams, for bites and scratches. A first aide kit is most important. Old Florida fishhead here.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[zapp]

3. As a North Carolinian,

I'm sure that those down easterners know how to take care of themselves during a hurricane. We get our share of them.