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Storm Arthur reaches hurricane strength off Cape Fear Hurricane Arthur skirts North Carolina
(about 5 hours later)
US meteorologists have upgraded Tropical Storm Arthur to a hurricane as it churns off the North Carolina coast on the eve of Independence Day. Hurricane Arthur, packing winds of 100mph, is heading up the coast of US state North Carolina, forcing thousands to abandon their 4 July holiday plans.
The first hurricane of the season was 70 miles (115km) south of Cape Fear as of 14:00 local time, the US National Hurricane Center said. The eye of the first hurricane of the season, now a Category 2 storm, was 45 miles (72km) east of Cape Fear as of 20:00 local time (00:00 Friday GMT), the US National Hurricane Center said.
It is not expected to make landfall but may whip beaches in the state. Its outer bands are currently lashing rain on North Carolina's Outer Banks.
Thousands have vacated the string of narrow barrier islands.
Ferries and highways were packed as people left, while towns all along the state's coast have rescheduled Independence Day events and fireworks.
The centre of the storm moved slightly west on Thursday afternoon and was expected to pass over the North Carolina Outer Banks late Thursday, bringing flooding and storm surges further inland.
A mandatory evacuation of Hatteras Island, the easternmost strip of land in the Outer Banks, began early on Thursday, when Tropical Storm Arthur was upgraded to hurricane status.
It was made a Category 2 hurricane late the same day, which means winds reached 96mph.
After passing North Carolina, Arthur was expected to weaken as it travels north along the East Coast.
North Carolina's governor has warned holidaymakers not to take risks along the coast on Friday.North Carolina's governor has warned holidaymakers not to take risks along the coast on Friday.
With a hurricane warning in place, Governor Pat McCrory said, "Don't put your stupid hat on."With a hurricane warning in place, Governor Pat McCrory said, "Don't put your stupid hat on."
Arthur was packing maximum sustained winds of 90mph (150km/h), which were expected to grow in strength over the coming day, according to the hurricane centre. A voluntary evacuation has been announced for Ocracoke Island, which is accessible only by ferry.
It is expected to reach the Outer Banks islands along the North Carolina coast on Thursday night.
On Thursday morning, ferries and highways were packed as visitors and residents left the barrier islands.
"Right now it is beautiful, but it is going to deteriorate around 17:00 or 18:00 this afternoon," Dare County Commissioner Allen Burrus told Reuters news agency.
A road linking the islands has been sliced apart twice in recent years by storms.
While the most dangerous winds were not expected to hit land, forecasters were predicting a storm surge of up to four feet (1.2m) in the area.
Visitors to Hatteras Island have been advised to leave and a voluntary evacuation has been announced for Ocracoke Island, which is accessible only by ferry.
"Although the current forecast doesn't indicate this will be a major impact, we are taking it very seriously,'' Mr McCrory said. "I don't want you to put at risk not only yourself but also people who may try to help you.""Although the current forecast doesn't indicate this will be a major impact, we are taking it very seriously,'' Mr McCrory said. "I don't want you to put at risk not only yourself but also people who may try to help you."
Towns along the coast in North Carolina and elsewhere have rescheduled Independence Day events and fireworks because of the storm.
National Hurricane Center forecaster Stacy Stewart said those who remained behind in the Outer Banks should prepare for the possibility of being stuck for several days without food or electricity.National Hurricane Center forecaster Stacy Stewart said those who remained behind in the Outer Banks should prepare for the possibility of being stuck for several days without food or electricity.
"We want the public to take this system very seriously, go ahead and start their preparations because time is beginning to run out," he said."We want the public to take this system very seriously, go ahead and start their preparations because time is beginning to run out," he said.
Forecasters said the storm would move offshore toward the north-east on Friday but would weaken and pose no serious risk to the northern part of the US east coast.Forecasters said the storm would move offshore toward the north-east on Friday but would weaken and pose no serious risk to the northern part of the US east coast.
Are you in the region? What preparations are you making? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Hurricane Arthur' in the subject heading and including your contact details.