Hurricane Earl's Projected Path in North Carolina's Way

Hurricane Earl mandatory evacuation has arrived! Beginning at 5 a.m. mandatory evacuation of North Carolina's Ocracoke Island has been set. Hyde County has issued a state of emergency.

As this fresh September major category 4 hurricane is heading closer to the eastern seaboard, North Carolina, we have a problem!

North Carolina's Outer Banks in the Cape Hatteras area took light the weather updates yesterday afternoon. But that is certain to change following the hurricane watch advisory posted from Surf City to the Virginia border and the latest update.

Yesterday we contacted local operating motel and hotels. Dave, Cape Hatteras Motel spokesperson, suggested to not change Labor Day plans just yet. Cape Hatteras Motel has only experienced one cancellation since Hurricane Earl surfaced. Cape Hatteras Comfort Inn also shared the low fear factor mentioning that much can change within the next 24 hours. Almost a day has passed and it's not looking any better.

Being a frequent at Ocracoke Island and knowing of the fragile nature within each road and local establishments and homes we decided to form a projection of preparation in accordance to the Trading Company.

Like other counties along the Outer Banks, Hyde County held Tuesday meetings to decide on the next plan of action. Residents and visitors are told to follow the mandatory evacuation set for this morning as early as 5. Ocracoke usually begins boarding windows and using full force hurricane preparations upon mandatory evacuations. Expect Ocracoke's day to be busy as supplies should be in high demand.

The same could apply to areas from Surf City, North Carolina all the way up to the Virginia border.

Inland residents and visitors, may need to move over, company may be arriving after all. Most hurricanes and tropical storms that cross the Outer Banks tends to push newcomers inland. Make that inland reservation soon if needed.

For those seeking a step-by-step hurricane guide visit Hurricanes, Tips & Tricks. This seven-page spread will offer safety and a peace of mind to weather any storm, especially a major hurricane.

Expect Hurricane Earl to leave a mark along the Outer Banks, including that of Ocracoke. This is a massive storm of 135 mph moving over warm waters and could intensify.

Hurricane Earl's track models could deem a confusing mess that depends upon the jet stream moving from west to east. One model, Navy, takes the track to a North Carolina landfall somewhere between Surf City and Outer Banks of North Carolina. The other Weather Channel models takes Hurricane Earl along the eastern seaboard or out into the Atlantic.

As for the Outer Banks of North Carolina, no one could have predicted a hurricane of this magnitude may get in the way of the ongoing coastal blue skies and light cloud cover. It very well may have been the calm before the storm.

Added Source: The Weather Channel - http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/tropical-depression-seven-storm-hurricane-earl_2010-08-23 (accessed Sept. 1, 2010)