BOSTON -- Boaters along the Massachusetts south coast and Cape Cod began securing their boats Thursday as Tropical Storm Hanna was predicted to take a path directly over parts of New England this weekend.
Heavy rain and tropical-force winds were expected to hit the region in two waves.
"Downpours will begin late Friday night and continue into Saturday morning," predicted Storm Team 5 meteorologist Dick Albert. A second round with stronger winds will begin late Saturday night and continue into Sunday morning.
NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that boat owners in Mattapoisett were pulling boats from the harbor Thursday afternoon. The harbor has no protection, and even sustained winds of 40 mph put boats in a vulnerable position.
"Everyone we talked to locally said 'Get out,'" said boat owner Melody Griffin. "We wanted to stay until Sunday, but it is just not worth it," said her husband, George.
"The current path is from Providence, R.I., to Hull, Mass.," forecast Storm Team 5 meteorologist Mike Wankum. "It will pass through this area around 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. early Sunday morning."
"Hanna is coming and we look at Ike behind it. We have had a lovely season, and there are other things to do," said boat owner Randall Kunz.
Winds from the storm could gust to more than 40 mph.
"It does look like it will remain a tropical storm. The best chance for gusty winds will be on the south shore, Cape Cod and the islands," said Wankum.
Apple pickers were working long hours at Lanni Orchards in Lunenburg and Fitchburg, gathering Macintosh apples as quickly as they could.
"There's no way of finishing the whole job now no matter what we do. Right now, we're trying to do the best we can," said Pat Lanni.
Macintosh apples ripen first and fall off trees easily. A storm with a lot of wind can do big damage.
In Providence, R.I., workers cleared storm drains and stocked up on sandbags and residents were urged to stock up on batteries and first aid supplies.
In Massachusetts, emergency managers also kept a close eye on the storm track.
"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.
Copyright 2008 by TheBostonChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 
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