Heavy rains continue in SC as Irene moves north

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Hurricane Irene isn’t expected to make landfall in North Carolina until Saturday but it’s already battering the South Carolina coast.

In Myrtle Beach, frequent rain bands from the swept though the city’s tourist district and frothed the sea into waves four to five feet high Friday afternoon.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the coast from Edisto Beach to the North Carolina line. That means sustained winds from 39 to 73 mph are expected. The storm’s closest approach to the Grand Strand is expected in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The storm has been blamed for downed power lines and street flooding along the coast.

Even inland the winds are being felt. The National Weather Service reports trees fell on three houses in Florence, 75 miles inland.