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Hurricane Earl remains a powerful hurricane just off the Carolina coast Thursday morning. There has not been much change in the forecast track for the storm over the last 24 to 36 hours. The storm should be tracking to the north just brushing past the North Carolina coast Thursday night. The eye of the storm may get very close to Cape Hatteras between midnight and 3 a.m.

Even though the center of the storm may stay just off shore, Earl remains a very large hurricane. Hurricane force winds extend 90 miles from the storm's center. Tropical storm force winds extend 230 miles from the storm's center. Much of the North Carolina coast will at least experience those tropical storm force winds with hurricane force winds possible from the Crystal Coast through the Outer Banks.

The Outer Banks will experience the worst of the storm late Thursday through the Friday early morning hours. The intense winds will create high surf that will likely wash over parts of Highway 12. Street flooding can be expected along with wind damage and power outages.
Crystal Coast residents should be making their final preparations for the possibility for hurricane force wind gusts tonight. The winds will be picking up through Thursday afternoon as rain bands begin to move inland. Winds may gust to 75 mph or slightly higher Thursday night.

Along the Cape Fear coast and inland toward Wilmington and Jacksonville, winds will not be as strong but are still expected to reach tropical storm force strength. Gusts up to 60mph cannot be ruled out.

Central North Carolina including the Triangle, Sandhills, Triad, and Charlotte area are not expected to be impacted by the storm.