'Stronger' Earl threatens Mid-Atlantic

MIAMI, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Forecasters called Hurricane Earl a large and dangerous storm Wednesday that threatened the U.S. Mid-Atlantic, with watches and warnings extended northward.

At 11 p.m. EDT, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Earl was "a little stronger," with top sustained winds of 140 mph and much higher gusts. The Category 4 storm was about 520 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C., and was moving toward the north-northwest at 18 mph.

Earl was expected to remain on its current track Wednesday night before turning toward the north Thursday. On its forecast track, the core of the storm will approach the North Carolina coast by late Thursday and travel to the outer banks of North Carolina Thursday night.

Earl is expected to weaken gradually after Thursday and the center of the storm is expected to cross the Delmarva Peninsula Friday.

A hurricane warning was posted for Bogue Inlet, N.C., northeastward to the North Carolina-Virginia border, including the Pamlico and Albermarle sounds. A hurricane watch was in effect north of the North Carolina-Virginia border to Cape Henlopen, Del., and from Woods Hole to Sagamore Beach, Mass., including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for Cape Fear west of Bogue Inlet and north of the North Carolina-Virginia border to Sandy Hook, N.J. -- including Delaware Bay south of Slaughter Beach and the Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort.

A tropical storm watch was posted for Sandy Hook to Woods Hole, including Block Island and Long Island Sound, and north of Sagamore Beach to the mouth of the Merrimack Rivers in Massachusetts.

Interests in northern New England and southeastern Canada were advised to monitor the progress of Hurricane Earl.

Amtrak said the routes of some of its trains in Virginia were being changed in the face of Earl's approach.

Thursday, Train 67 and Train 66 will terminate in Richmond, instead of Newport News and Train 95 will terminate in Washington instead of Newport News.

Friday, Train 66 will originate in Richmond instead of Newport News; Trains 94, 95, 83 will terminate in Washington instead of Newport News; and Train 78 is canceled.

Saturday, Train 194 will originate in Richmond instead of Newport News and Train 82 will originate in Washington instead of Newport News.

Amtrak said alternate transportation will only be available between Washington and Richmond, as other Northeast Regional trains will operate to Richmond, plus the Carolinian, Silver Star, Silver Meteor and Palmetto. Also planning to operate through Virginia will be the Northeast Regional trains to Lynchburg, the Crescent, Cardinal and Auto Train.