The eye of Tropical Storm Hanna is off the east coast of Florida. The storm will race up the Interstate 95 corridor Saturday after making landfall overnight in the Carolinas. Hurricane Ike is close behind, expected to reach the Bahamas by Sunday.

Hanna is close to hurricane strength, with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph as it spins about 100 miles east of Daytona Beach. The storm is forecast to make landfall overnight along the Carolina coast between Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Wilmington, N.C.

The Severe Weather Center lists the hurricane- and tropical storm-related watches and warnings in effect from Florida to southern New England.

Expert Senior Meteorologist John Kocet says the storm will make landfall in "Hurricane Alley," the area of the Carolina coast between Charleston, S.C. and Hatteras, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Kocet says the area "sticks out into the ocean," making it a prime target for storms along the East Coast.

Once over land, Hanna will speed up the Interstate 95 corridor, bringing heavy rain and damaging wind to the major cities from Richmond to Boston. According to Kocet, "This storm will do some damage, much like winter nor'easters that are even more powerful."

Hanna appears to have become much better organized this morning and is developing a more uniform cloud shield and circulation. All interests along the Eastern Seaboard should be making preparations for heavy rain and powerful winds that could cause significant damage.

The high forward speed will limit rain amounts along the East Coast. Up to 8 inches will fall in eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, while 2 to 4 inches is forecast from eastern South Carolina to southern New England.

Rain will spark localized flooding and flash flooding, while winds gusting from 40 to 60 mph could topple trees and power lines. The combination of wind and rain will cause problems for motorists and could lead to flight delays at the major airports along the Eastern Seaboard. Winds will gust highest on the beaches and in areas just to the east of the storm center.

A storm surge of 3 to 6 feet above normal tides could cause coastal flooding and beach erosion, especially along the Outer Banks, Long Island and Cape Cod.

North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine have declared states of emergency. South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford urged people in two northern counties to leave flood-prone areas and mobile homes by this afternoon.

Associated Press reports preparations are underway in New England. Workers in Providence, R.I. cleared storm drains and stocked up on sandbags, while officials urged residents to stock up on supplies. "If nothing else, it's a good dress rehearsal for Ike, if Ike were to come," said Peter Judge, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

Hurricane Ike has weakened slightly today, but remains a major hurricane. The Category 3 storm with winds near 120 mph is steaming to the west more than 400 miles north of the Leeward Islands.

Ike will pass the Leeward Islands today before passing to the north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Saturday. By Sunday, the storm will be near the southern Bahamas, close to where Hanna was Thursday.

That could be good news. Hanna churned up cold water from the depths as it spun over the southern Bahamas. Ike is battling shear today and, by Sunday, the cooler water could help to weaken the storm as it reaches a meteorological "fork in the road."

According to AccuWeather.com Forecasting Director Ken Reeves, "If Ike maintains its strength, it will either plow into Florida or turn to the north on a path similar to Hanna. There is also potential for a weakened Ike to pass through the Straits of Florida into the Gulf of Mexico."

Neither storm is expected to have a major impact on Florida's citrus industry. AccuWeather.com agriculture expert Dale Mohler says, "The only serious damage would occur if Ike were to go through the heart of the citrus belt, between Ft. Myers and Orlando."