Hurricane Arthur strengthens to Category 2 storm over North Carolina

WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- Hurricane Arthur was upgraded to a Category 2 storm on Thursday evening at 9 p.m., reaching 100 mph winds as it made its way up the North Carolina coast.

The National Hurricane Center located Arthur 55 miles away from Cape Fear, N.C., and moving north-northeast at 15 mph.

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, who told state residents Wednesday not to "put your stupid hat on,", warned people to stay wary even as the storm passes.

"Now we have concerns about people inland who may be impacted by potential flooding and rivers going over their banks," McCrory said in an update. "This is a serious storm and with the darkness and high tide coming, as the storm moves to the north, the danger increases."

Eleven counties in North Carolina are under a state of emergency.