Another evacuation ordered as Hurricane Earl approaches U.S.

(News Today) - As Hurricane Earl continues to spin toward the East Coast, authorities in North Carolina are ordering more people to get out of the way.

But at least one bartender there insists on weathering out the storm on a sliver of land reachable only by ferry.

"A lot of times when [residents] evacuate, it's hard to get back on the island," said Brandon Benecki, who tends bar at Howard's Pub in Ocracoke Island. "It's simpler to just stay here and kind of ride it out."

Emergency management coordinators ordered the mandatory evacuation of Ocracoke late Tuesday.

The order, which was issued for all visitors and residents of the island, goes into effect at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, said Lindsey Mooney, interim emergency management coordinator with Hyde County Emergency Management. He added thousands of people would likely be affected by the decision.

As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Earl was located about 130 miles (210 km) northeast of Grand Turk Island and about 910 miles (1,460 km) south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida.

The cyclone packed winds of 135 mph (215 kph) and was headed northwest at about 15 mph (24 kph).

Staff members of Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina also ordered a mandatory evacuation Tuesday, according to park Superintendent Russel J. Wilson. The park will be closed to all visitors beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday, until further notice.

Hurricane Earl is approaching the United States just ahead of Labor Day, a holiday weekend that many families spend at the beach.

"Unfortunately, they're just getting started with their vacation and now they have to turn around and go," Benecki said. "However, I think most people do understand why."

The hurricane center issued a hurricane watch for most of the North Carolina coast, from Surf City to the state's northern border with Virginia, including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.

The Category 4 hurricane has already dealt a blow to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, downing trees and knocking out power lines.

Earl will approach within 60 miles of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, early Friday morning, according to CNN meteorologist Sean Morris. Hurricane-force winds will be possible along the Outer Banks of North Carolina beginning early on Friday morning and lasting until at least midday, he said.

Morris forecast Earl will pass within 60 miles of Nantucket, Massachusetts, as a strong Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane overnight Friday. However, sustained hurricane-force winds should not affect coastal Massachusetts as the majority of winds will be tropical-storm force beginning Friday afternoon and lasting until midday on Saturday, he said.

The U.S. Navy in Norfolk, Virginia, has ordered ships in its area to prepare to head to sea within 24 hours if conditions worsen, according to Beth Baker, a spokeswoman for the Navy. A separate order will be given if it's decided that various Naval aircraft in the region need to be moved, she said.

The Navy also issued on Tuesday a "Hurricane Condition 4," which tells people living and working around the Norfolk area to be prepared for "destructive winds" within 72 hours and to take the proper precautions.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has urged those living in the region to prepare for the storm, stock up on supplies and have a plan if it becomes necessary.

Besides FEMA's Ready.gov website, people can use FEMA's mobile application, which links to the National Hurricane Center, to stay up to date on information. Tips include developing a family communications plan, putting together a kit with 72 hours of food and water and staying informed of risks in the area.

Even without making landfall, hurricanes can trigger dangerous rip currents -- a narrow channel of water that flows seaward from beaches. The currents can be strong enough to carry even experienced swimmers into deeper water.

Source : CNN

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