Ana weakens to depression, dumping rain along NC, SC coasts

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Tropical Storm Ana lost the last of its strength and was downgraded to a depression as it created wet and windy conditions along the North and South Carolina coasts.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said the center of the depression was located about 30 miles north of Myrtle Beach. The storm's maximum sustained winds were at 35 mph. Gradual weakening was expected over the next few days, according to the hurricane center.

While the storm was stationary over the northeastern coast of South Carolina, forecasters said Ana should resume moving to the north on Sunday, turn to the northeast and pick up speed. It was expected that the storm would move over eastern North Carolina on Sunday night.

The forecast also called for between 2 and 6 inches of rain over the affected regions, and coastal flooding, especially around high tide. A combination of storm surge and the rising tide created the possibility of up to 2 feet of water above normal from Cape Hatteras as far south as South Carolina. Forecasters said those conditions should diminish as well over the next day or so.

Forecasters also reiterated their warnings for rip currents along the southeastern U.S. coast.

Radar showed rain bands spiraling as far north as Fredericksburg, Virginia, and as far south as Georgetown, South Carolina.

While the storm may have ruined some Mother's Day plans, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill held its commencement at Kenan Stadium as scheduled. A school spokeswoman says a crowd of about 30,000 sat through occasional drizzle to watch the ceremony.

Photos posted to social media sites showed ocean water washing over some roads at the beach, but officials said there were no major problems to report.

"Nothing really significant. No place in our county where water is going into structures or anything like that," said Brian Watts, Brunswick County Emergency Services Director.

In Southport, Shirley Haithcox said a few limbs were down and that the Cape Fear River was choppy due to the winds.

"I guess you could say it's more of a nuisance because it's just so wet. So far, it hasn't damaged anything," Haithcox said. "It's like a tropical storm. You see the wind blowing the rain down the road. I guess it could be a lot worse. I guess it put a damper on a lot of people's Mother's Day."

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