RALEIGH (AP) -- North Carolina emergency officials say they are watching Hurricane Hanna, which is churning off the Southeast coast.

Hanna is currently in the southeastern Bahamas. Forecasters say it could hit the U.S. anywhere between Miami and the North Carolina Outer Banks.

The National Hurricane Center has Hanna coming ashore with winds of 100 mph Friday near Savannah, Ga. That area hasn't been hit directly by a major hurricane since the Sea Islands Hurricane killed thousands in 1893.

North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley says state officials have been preparing for the storm and urged residents to do the same.

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