Town officials are preparing for potential problems from Tropical Storm Hanna. Work crews have been clearing storm drains and fire crews and public works employees have been double-checking equipment to make sure everything is in working order.

Weather forecasts are predicting that the center of the storm could come ashore near the border of North and South Carolina.

Those forecasts call for moderate winds as far inland as the Triangle, but rain is expected to be the greatest problem for people living in eastern Wake County.

Based on current forecasts Hanna could dump up to two inches of rain in eastern Wake County. Winds of up to 40 mph are also predicted.

Town managers in Wendell, Knightdale and Zebulon all say they are getting regular updates on the storm’s track and they have met with their staffs to make sure everyone understands what is expected of town crews in the event the storm strikes here.

Wendell fire Chief Tom Vaughan says flash flooding is the most likely problem his firefighters will face. He said drainage within the town is generally good, but he said some areas just outside the town limits are prone to flooding. He singled out Marshburn Road near Lizard Lick Road, Morphus Bridge Road near Corbin Road and Main Street near Fourth Street. Zebulon Town Manager Rick Hardin said localized flooding will be among the problems emergency crews look

for in that town too.

He said some of the most flood-prone areas in Zebulon include the intersection of Gannon and Arendell Avenues and the Pineview Estates subdivision on the west side of town. He also said flooding is likely.in and around Little River Park.

“I expect if we have anything like that happen, we would either put up barricades or have folks out there to help direct traffic through the water or assist people who need help,” Hardin said. Knightdale Town Manager Gary McConkey said his staff has reviewed some of the lessons they learned from Hurricane Fran, when public works crews had to cut their way out of the public works facility just to service the town. Police officers were also nearly trapped in town hall by fallen trees.

“We know now that we need to stage our resources in places around town where they aren’t likely to get trapped,” McConkey said.

He expects his staff to gather one more time late this afternoon to assess the storm’s track and the level of the town’s response.