Hurricane Earl Threatens East Coast, Tropical Storm Fiona Right Behind It

(Sept. 1) -- UPDATED, 5:00 P.M. EDT -- Hurricane Earl has weakened to a Category 3 storm but is still grinding its way toward the East Coast of the United States, causing large swells and dangerous surf along its path. Authorities began evacuating North Carolina's Ocracoke Island this morning.

Below, Surge Desk answers five questions about Hurricane Earl and Tropical Storm Fiona on its heels.

1. Where is Hurricane Earl?
As of 5 p.m. EDT, the storm was about 235 miles east of Abaco island in the Bahamas and 630 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C.

2. What is Hurricane Earl's projected path?
The storm is moving northwest at 17 mph and is expected to turn gradually north on Thursday. It should pass to the east and northeast of the Bahamas later today and will approach the North Carolina coast late Thursday.

3. How strong is Hurricane Earl?
Earl is a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 135 mph and higher gusts.

4. Are there any watches or warnings for Hurricane Earl?
A hurricane warning is in effect for Bogue Inlet, N.C., northeast to the North Carolina-Virginia border, including the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in 36 hours.

A hurricane watch is in effect for the North Carolina-Virginia border north to Cape Henlopen, Del. Hurricane conditions are possible in that area in 48 hours.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Cape Fear west to Bogue Inlet, meaning tropical storm conditions could occur within the next 36 hours.

5. What path is Tropical Storm Fiona on?
Right behind Hurricane Earl, Tropical Storm Fiona has passed north of the Leeward Islands into the Atlantic. As of 5 p.m. EDT, Fiona was about 140 miles north of Anguilla and was packing winds of up to 60 mph.