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| Hurricane Arthur strengthens as North Carolina residents urged to be safe | Hurricane Arthur strengthens as North Carolina residents urged to be safe |
| (7 months later) | |
| Arthur, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, is strengthening as it spirals toward America's eastern seaboard on the eve of Independence Day. | Arthur, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, is strengthening as it spirals toward America's eastern seaboard on the eve of Independence Day. |
| Arthur is expected to become a category two storm – that is, a storm characterised by extremely dangerous winds of 96 to 110mph that are capable of causing extensive damage – by the time it passes near or over the North Carolina coast, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicted on Thursday. | Arthur is expected to become a category two storm – that is, a storm characterised by extremely dangerous winds of 96 to 110mph that are capable of causing extensive damage – by the time it passes near or over the North Carolina coast, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicted on Thursday. |
| Forecasters predict Arthur will graze North Carolina's shores overnight, and the state's governor is warning residents and visitors to be wary of tropical storm force winds that could swirl up as early as Thursday afternoon. | Forecasters predict Arthur will graze North Carolina's shores overnight, and the state's governor is warning residents and visitors to be wary of tropical storm force winds that could swirl up as early as Thursday afternoon. |
| The NHC predicted the storm will then accelerate north-east, moving off the coast of the mid-Atlantic states and New England. The storm is expected to eventually move toward Canada, passing near or over portions of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, the NHC predicted. Big waves and dangerous rip currents are expected all along the eastern seaboard, and beachgoers are advised to stay out of the water. | The NHC predicted the storm will then accelerate north-east, moving off the coast of the mid-Atlantic states and New England. The storm is expected to eventually move toward Canada, passing near or over portions of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, the NHC predicted. Big waves and dangerous rip currents are expected all along the eastern seaboard, and beachgoers are advised to stay out of the water. |
| Forecasters have predicted that the Outer Banks could get up to 4ft of storm surge if Arthur hits at high tide. North Carolina's coastal area is expecting between 3in and 5in of rainfall, and up to 7in in certain spots. | Forecasters have predicted that the Outer Banks could get up to 4ft of storm surge if Arthur hits at high tide. North Carolina's coastal area is expecting between 3in and 5in of rainfall, and up to 7in in certain spots. |
| Arthur is expected to begin weakening Friday night, and the NHC forecasts that it will subside to become a post-tropical cyclone by Saturday. | Arthur is expected to begin weakening Friday night, and the NHC forecasts that it will subside to become a post-tropical cyclone by Saturday. |
| But widespread showers and thunderstorms over the next couple of days threaten to hamper Fourth of July elebrations across the east coast. | But widespread showers and thunderstorms over the next couple of days threaten to hamper Fourth of July elebrations across the east coast. |
| Heeding bad weather predictions, Boston decided to hold its annual celebration on a day early, according to the Boston Globe. About 75,000 people are expected to turn up on Thursday for the Boston Pops outdoor concert and fireworks show, which traditionally draws 600,000 to 1 million people. | Heeding bad weather predictions, Boston decided to hold its annual celebration on a day early, according to the Boston Globe. About 75,000 people are expected to turn up on Thursday for the Boston Pops outdoor concert and fireworks show, which traditionally draws 600,000 to 1 million people. |
| Tropical-storm-force winds are very close to the coast. Rush all hurricane preparations to completion! pic.twitter.com/GY8Gwmpaoy | |
| North Carolina governor Pat McCrory advised vacationers along the coast to exercise good judgement and not risk their safety in a foolish attempt to salvage their July Fourth celebrations. | North Carolina governor Pat McCrory advised vacationers along the coast to exercise good judgement and not risk their safety in a foolish attempt to salvage their July Fourth celebrations. |
| "Don't put your stupid hat on," McCrory warned during a press conference on Wednesday. He has declared a state of emergency in 26 coastal and inland counties. More declarations are expected to come throughout the day, according to a statement that his office released on Thursday. | "Don't put your stupid hat on," McCrory warned during a press conference on Wednesday. He has declared a state of emergency in 26 coastal and inland counties. More declarations are expected to come throughout the day, according to a statement that his office released on Thursday. |
| Hurricane and tropical storm warnings are in place in North Carolina's coastal counties, and a mandatory evacuation has been ordered for residents and visitors to the Outer Banks' Hatteras Island and a voluntary evacuation for Ocracoke Island, which is accessible only by ferry. Access to Hatteras Island was cut off as of 5am Thursday morning. | Hurricane and tropical storm warnings are in place in North Carolina's coastal counties, and a mandatory evacuation has been ordered for residents and visitors to the Outer Banks' Hatteras Island and a voluntary evacuation for Ocracoke Island, which is accessible only by ferry. Access to Hatteras Island was cut off as of 5am Thursday morning. |
| The town of Surf City, North Carolina has already cancelled its annual Independence Day celebration, which was due to take place on Thursday, because of the storm. | The town of Surf City, North Carolina has already cancelled its annual Independence Day celebration, which was due to take place on Thursday, because of the storm. |
| But despite Arthur's terrible timing, McCroy said he's optimistic the havoc caused by the storm will be short-lived, and that tens of thousands of visitors who flocked to the Outer Banks for the holiday will still get to enjoy the rest of their vacation. | But despite Arthur's terrible timing, McCroy said he's optimistic the havoc caused by the storm will be short-lived, and that tens of thousands of visitors who flocked to the Outer Banks for the holiday will still get to enjoy the rest of their vacation. |
| "We anticipate a beautiful holiday weekend once Hurricane Arthur clears out," he said in a press release on Thursday. | "We anticipate a beautiful holiday weekend once Hurricane Arthur clears out," he said in a press release on Thursday. |
| Tropical storm warnings are in effect in coastal areas from south-east Virginia to South Carolina. Arthur is expected to unleash coastal flooding and dangerous rip currents throughout much of the east coast during the three-day holiday weekend. | Tropical storm warnings are in effect in coastal areas from south-east Virginia to South Carolina. Arthur is expected to unleash coastal flooding and dangerous rip currents throughout much of the east coast during the three-day holiday weekend. |