Holiday islands evacuated ahead of Hurricane Earl

As many as 5,000 holidaymakers have been evacuated from Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands in the Outer Banks of North Caroline as Hurricane Earl approaches.

The storm is presently 410 miles south of Cape Hatteras moving north-by-northwest at 18 mile per hour according to the latest information from the National Hurricane Centre Winds of 140 mph - the strongest of the Atlantic season - have been recorded, with Earl expected to hit North Carolina.

Earl is not forecast to strike the US mainland directly, but its swirling winds were expected to sideswipe the densely populated coast. American president Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency as states along the United States eastern seaboard continue to prepare.

Source: BTN

02.09.10