Areas in the Triangle prone to flooding, like Crabtree Valley, are keeping a watchful eye on Tropical Storm Hanna and remembering lessons from past storms.

Businesses on Glenwood Avenue were a mess after Tropical Depression Alberto sat over the Triangle in June of 2006. Crabtree Valley flooded and eight inches of water rose inside the Shell gas and service station. Co-owner Larry Donnelly has since learned of a secret weapon.

"This is a monitoring station for Crabtree Creek," Donnelly said as he pointed to a small wooden building across the street.

The monitoring station won't stop flooding but all Donnelly has to do is check the latest stats on his computer and he'll have fair warning of potential flooding.

"So instead of worry about it or driving out to see the creek you can go online," Donnelly said.

If Hanna does bring heavy rains, Donnelly said he will have a truck ready to bring valuable goods to higher ground.

"We're gonna be on standby and watch it, I mean as it hits the North Carolina state line is when we'll really react," Donnelly said.

The parking garage at Crabtree Valley Mall also took a hit during Alberto. Rising water damaged cars and property. With Hanna in the distance, the mall is preparing flood gates, ordering sand in case sand bags are needed and clearing construction sites.

But it's not just businesses that have to be prepared, its drivers too. Glenwood Avenue is a major artery, one that John Cummings uses when he drives to Raleigh from Goldsboro for work.

"Everybody I know that lives here says it's just unbearable and you can't go down the road and they've seen things floating away, cars getting ruined," Cummings said.