Although Hurricane Earl weakened from category four hurricane to a category three, it still remains a “large and intense” storm according to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC).
While the Bahamas can expect to feel the effects of Hurricane Earl the NHC reported that Earl was forecast to maintain its northwesterly path, passing well away from the Bahamas on Wednesday.
Rough surf could begin affecting the Bahamas and the southeastern U.S. coast on Wednesday, causing dangerous surf and rip currents. The NHC reported that above-normal tides in the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands should gradually subside throughout Wednesday and the islands could expect rainfall of 1 to 2 inches.
The North Carolina coast is now on hurricane watch as Earl storms along its northwest path at about at 16 mph.
Authorities in North Carolina are preparing for the oncoming storm ordering people along the coast to get out, CNN said. Emergency management coordinators Tuesday ordered the mandatory evacuation of all visitors and residents on Ocracoke Island.
“If Earl continues its present course, it will batter the Outer Banks of North Carolina Thursday and Cape Cod Friday night with strong winds, powerful waves and potential flooding problems,” said Accuweather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
While Earl bypassed the Bahamas it hit several other Caribbean islands with heavy winds and rain resulting in damaged homes, downed trees, blocked roads and snapped power lines. On the French islands of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélémy thousands of people were left without power.
