As Tropical Storm Hanna is making its way up the coast and heads toward New York, forecasters say some coastal communities in Westchester County are at a risk of flooding over the weekend.

Both Westchester and the Hudson Valley could be hit with the first tropical storm since "Floyd" made landfall in the area nine years ago this month.

The powerful storm is packing winds of more than 60 mph and is expected to dump up to 6 inches of rain in the Hudson Valley. Hanna is expected to make landfall Friday night near the South Carolina border and then proceed along the eastern seaboard.

In Rockland County, the preparations for a rendezvous with the storm are already under way. Officials in Clarkstown have been gearing up for the storm since Tuesday, dispatching highway crews to ensure the roads were clear of obstructions and check catch basins. Pipes were also cleaned out so water could flow freely.

In addition, extra pumps were installed on Klein Avenue and Congress Lake, which is an area prone to flooding.

Town Supervisor Alex Gromack says Clarkstown is ready, but it all depends on how much strength the storm gains before it makes landfall on the Hudson Valley.

"If Mother Nature deals you a blow that you just physically can't take care of, that's when we run into problems,? he says.

Town officials say in case of an emergency, they will utilize a reverse 911 system to alert residents in any affected areas. They add that highway crews are on stand-by.

Homeowners are advised to secure loose objects that could become dangerous if picked up by high winds. In case of a power outage, people are urged to avoid candles and use flashlights instead.

Go to to learn more about Hanna.