Irene prompts tropical storm warning for SC coast

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Six people were rescued from treacherous rip currents Thursday and the National Hurricane Center raised a tropical storm warning for much of the South Carolina coast as Hurricane Irene approached.

Those on the coast were warned about rip currents, beach erosion and strong winds from the storm. The hurricane is not expected to make a direct hit on South Carolina, instead passing north and east toward a forecast landing near North Carolina’s Outer Banks during the day Saturday.

But the Hurricane Center issued a tropical warning from Edisto Beach, southwest of Charleston, northeast to the North Carolina state line. Hurricane warnings were issued farther north.