Tropical Storm Hanna, now ashore, will march up the East Coast today and Sunday, spreading heavy rain and gusty winds. It will also bring battering and erosion-inducing waves, generally minor tidal flooding and severe thunderstorms.

Now that Hanna is ashore, the biggest concern will be heavy rain and embedded severe thunderstorms. Between 2 and 5 inches of rain are likely along the Atlantic Seaboard generally east of I-95. Embedded in the feeder bands, especially along the immediate coast, will cells of strong to severe thunderstorms capable of triggering short-lived but fast-moving tornadoes.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for much of eastern North Carolina, the Virginia Tidewater and the lower Delmarva Peninsula through early 1 p.m. EDT.

Hannas gusty winds and tornado risk will be just enough to topple trees and power lines. Please do not attempt to go outside to inspect damage until the winds subside at your location. Be careful around down powerlines, electrocutions is one of the common cause of deaths during storm recovery.

WeatherBug Meteorologist Rachel Peterson has the latest on Hanna`s severe weather potential in this exclusive WeatherBug Video.

Hanna is also bringing battering waves and storm surge, which will diminish in intensity as Hanna`s winds decrease today. Even so, Coastal storm surges of 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels are expected as Hanna moves northward. Higher surges are possible in the Chesapeake and Delaware bays where water can become backed up. These surges will lead to minor tidal flooding along the coast and up a few of the tidal rivers, including the Potomac all of the way to Washington, D.C.

Beach erosion from battering waves will also be a common problem from the Outer Banks to Cape Cod. The waves and accompanying rip currents will cause dangerous swimming conditions, likely closing beaches today, possibly Sunday, too.

Many outdoor activities are scheduled for this weekend, including a plethora of college football games. A few of these games will find themselves playing against the brunt of Hanna, including West Virginia University at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., and Georgia Tech at Boston College.

In New York City, the Women`s Final and Men`s Semifinals at the U.S. Open tennis championship and a baseball pennant race game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets are both scheduled for today.

Tropical Storm Hanna may force postponements. If any football or baseball games or tennis matches are in your plans today, be sure to check with officials before heading to the stadium or ballpark.

Do you have a story or photo to share from Hanna? Submit Your Hanna Story here. Photos can be sent in by clicking on the photo link located to the right of this story.

WeatherBug Meteorologists will provide the latest information on Tropical Storm Hanna as it invades the East Coast this weekend.

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