Hurricane Earl was barreling toward the Atlantic Coast of the United States today, and tourists have evacuated the vulnerable barrier islands of North Carolina — heading into Labor Day weekend, a key tourist time — as the Category 4 storm approaches. Federal Emergency Management Agency director Craig Fugate warned that with winds topping at 140 mph, those in the path of the storm need to take action quickly. More:

“‘This is a day of action,’ Fugate said. ‘Sunny skies in the (North Carolina) Outer Banks will deteriorate throughout the afternoon. For people further north, conditions will deterioate very quickly.’

As of 11 a.m. Thursday, the storm was located about 300 miles south of Cape Hatteras, N.C., according to the National Hurricane Center. It was moving to the north at 18 mph.

The storm is on track to swipe the North Carolina barrier islands, where many tourists have already evacuated and residents spent the morning battening down in preparation for its arrival overnight. Further north, tropical storm force winds are expected in coastal Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticutt, said Bill Read, director of the hurricane center.

In those areas, ‘Your trees are full of leaves, power lines are above ground so you could lose power,’ Read said. ‘If someone has an emergency and roads are covered with trees, emergency vehicles have a hard time getting to them. With the high population it could have some affect.’

The hurricane center issued a hurricane warning for southeastern Massachusetts and a tropical storm warning for the coast of Long Island in New York.”

The Washington Post is also tracking the storm, which isn’t expected to hit the nation’s capital but those still on the congressional recess and waiting to enjoy the beaches through the holiday.

“In Ocean City, Md., a sprinkle of tourists lined the main drag Thursday as families and couples strolled toward the boardwalk with towels and beach chairs in tow. The soft breeze and clear blue sky was no indication of the rain and high winds expected to whip through the area within hours. Hurricane Earl will pass through, about 200 miles from the town’s coast, beginning early Friday morning and continuing until Friday afternoon.

‘It’s a fast-moving storm, hopefully it’ll just blow past,’ said town spokeswoman Donna Abbott.

A hurricane watch–meaning that hurricane conditions are expected within 48 hours– is in effect, and residents are being asked to stay indoors during the storm.

Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) have declared states of emergency, and O’Malley is advising travelers not to drive to or from Ocean City during the height of stormy weather Friday.

Beaches in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware are likely to see one to two inches of rain, winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour and gusts of up to 55 miles per hour, forecasters said. Strong waves, dangerous rip currents and possibly minor coastal flooding also are likely.”

Keep track of Earl’s latest movements at the Stormpulse tracking map.

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(Photo by NOAA via Getty Images)