Emergency managers and other agencies in the area have already started preparations for Tropical Storm Hanna.

The Red Cross plans to open a shelter at the James Brown Arena at noon Thursday, according to Columbia County Emergency Management Director Pam Tucker.

Warren Baptist Church and Wesley United Methodist in Columbia County will serve as overflow shelters.

Tucker told NBC Augusta she spent Tuesday working on plans and coordinating with other agencies.

Emergency managers in Aiken and Richmond counties also said they spent the day planning,

Aiken County Emergency Preparedness Coordinator David Ruth says he has prepared the county's command trailer to deploy to the coast if called upon. He says teams have also lined up chainsaws and other equipment.

A Georgia Power spokesperson tells NBC Augusta the company plans to recall its teams currently deployed to the Gulf coast for Hurricane Gustav. The teams should arrive in Georgia Wednesday to prepare to redeploy in anticipation of Hanna.

South Carolina Electric & Gas says it is "securing emergency provisions and readying equipment and supplies" in advance of the storm.