Coast Guard increases state of alert in SC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The Coast Guard has increased its alert level on the South Carolina coast and is advising large vessels to make preparations to leave or to let the agency know they are staying as Hurricane Irene approaches.

Irene is expected to sweep the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of more than 110 mph Saturday.

The state’s home-ported cruise ship, the Carnival Fantasy, leaves on its regularly scheduled cruise Thursday before the storm moves north.

Byron Miller of the State Ports Authority says the Port of Charleston remains open but officials are closely monitoring the progress of Irene.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm watch for the South Carolina coast from Edisto Beach to Surf City, N.C.