8/18: New storm-tracker gives more detail on hurricanes

8/18: Christian Science Monitor: New storm-tracker offers more detail on hurricanes

Hurricane season 2009 has begun, and a new site -- Emicus -- has been launched by the US Emergency Operations Center to provide more information on developing storms.

“We are preparing to go to either the Carolinas or Florida this coming Wednesday to work on-disaster-site operations so there will be a lot of on-site reporting," says Yobie Benjamin, a columnist and an official advisor to Emicus. “Our web site is undergoing last minute tweaks. Satellite phones, Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) satellite Internet systems, cameras, laptops, trucks and generators are getting ready for staging.”

As Hurricane Bill builds (now Category 2), sites like this may prove more valuable to Southerners in the path of such storms.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley says he'll meet with Georgia governor on water issue

ARKANSAS: Sen. Blanche Lincoln navigates health talks carefully

FLORIDA: Rural residents grill U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd at health-care town hall meeting

GEORGIA: Large increases seen in Hispanic voter registration

KENTUCKY: State creates electronic health information office

LOUISIANA: Rainy-day fund boosts state budget by $86 million

MISSISSIPPI: Citizens angry in Mississippi about health care reform

NORTH CAROLINA: Site in North Carolina to be home to solar farm

SOUTH CAROLINA: State closes books on fiscal year with $98 million deficit

TENNESSEE: Gov. Bredesen takes lead role in debate over health care costs

VIRGINIA: Three GOP candidates to challenge Congressman Tom Perriello

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