Hurricane watch posted in U.S. for Hanna

MIAMI, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Hanna took aim at the U.S. eastern seaboard after pounding the Bahamas, U.S. forecasters in Miami said.

A hurricane watch was in effect from north of Edisto Beach, S.C., to Currituck Beach Light, and a tropical storm warning was in effect from the Savannah River north to Albemarle and Pamlico sounds.

A tropical storm watch was issued from the North Carolina-Virginia border north to Great Egg Inlet, N.J.

At 8 p.m., the National Hurricane Center said Hanna was below hurricane strength with sustained winds of 65 mph, centered about 75 miles east-southeast of Marsh Harbor, Bahamas, and 580 miles south-southeast of Wilmington, N.C., moving northwest at near 14 mph.

"A turn to the north is expected by late Friday. ... The center of Hanna will pass just east of the Northwestern Bahamas and will be near the southeast coast of the United States by late Friday," the report said.

The NHC called Hanna a "sprawling" system, with tropical storm force winds extending 315 miles, mostly to the north, from its center.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and Thursday, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine declared a state of emergency.