Video >> Hurricane Earl moves towards U.S. east coast
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| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) image show Hurricane Earl. Hurricane Earl bore down on a vast stretch of the US East Coast on Thursday, as tens of thousands of people fled North Carolina's barrier islands to avoid dangerous winds and surf.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) |
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The powerful Hurricane Earl is churning its way on Thursday through the Atlantic toward the United States, and will sweep the east coast this weekend.
The government has issued warnings for vast areas of the east coast, and called on residents to prepare for the worst.
Earl, which weakened slightly to category three with winds at nearly 200 kph, is estimated to pound the east coast from North Carolina to Maine with huge waves, pouring rain and gale winds later this week.
The Hurricane is estimated to pass near North Carolina's Outer Banks islands on Thursday night, and move northbound and bring bad weather to New England.
U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday declared an emergency exists in North Carolina, giving the federal government greenlight to help in case of disaster. Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA) chief Craig Fugate on Thursday urged people to get ready, and not wait until it's too late.
"Time will be running out for people who have not gotten ready, " he said. "We expect conditions along the east coast to deteriorate rapidly tonight and tomorrow."
FEMA has deployed teams to North Carolina and other East Coast states to support storm preparations. The agency has also prepositioned water, food and other essential items for rapid delivery.
Related:
Obama briefed on plans to counter hurricane threat
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama was briefed Wednesday on preparations made in advance of a category 3 hurricane that could hit the east coast, the White House said.
Obama talked on the phone with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chief Craig Fugate. Fugate briefed Obama on the preparations for potential impacts of Hurricane Earl on the east coast and New England. A hurricane watch is currently in place for portions of the North Carolina and Virginia coastlines. Full story
