New Tropical Depression, Nine, Forms in Atlantic, Tropical Storm Fiona Strengthens, Hurricane Earl Downgraded to Category 3, Ocracoke Island Evacuated

Evacuation orders for North Carolina's Ocracoke Island have been issued, and even though Rhode Island is still many miles away, the Ocean State is preparing for high winds, heavy rains and a possible storm surge. The residents are watching all updates on Hurricane Earl, as he could possibly come right at them. Officials are also making sure that the Fox Point HUrricane Barrier in Providence, RI is ready and waiting. As well, officials are assuring Rhode Islanders that the Hurricane Barrier gates can be lowered within 30 minutes.

This morning, Hurricane Earl weakened by 10 miles per hour, reclassifying him as a category 3 hurricane with 125 mile per hour winds. Earl is still a major hurricane, despite his being slightly weakened.

Currently, Hurricane Earl is tracking dangerously close to the East Coast. The only question is, will he veer off and make landfall? Any deviation to the west could mean that the storm would strike the coast, or impact the coast strong enough to require evacuation.

Right behind Hurricane Earl, we have Tropical Storm Fiona. Fiona gained the 10 mph that Hurricane Earl lost. Fiona is now moving along with 60 mph winds. The tropical storm is now moving almost exactly the way Earl was and is heading northwest at 17 mph.

Then, behind Fiona, we have Nine. Our newest addition to the tropical cyclone family currently in the Atlantic. Number Nine will not get an official name until they become a tropical storm, at which point they will get a pretty cool name. Hopefully, however, this tropical depression won't even make it to tropical storm status. Nine is moving west at 15 mph with its maximum wind speed of 35 mph.

[caption id="attachment_7888" align="alignleft" width="565" caption="A Satellite Image With the Tropical Cyclones Highlighted"][/caption]

On the next page is a list of all the watches and warnings that are currently in effect for all three of the Atlantic tropical cyclones.


Below are the watches and warnings that are currently in effect for all three tropical cyclones.

Hurricane Earl:

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR:
* BOGUE INLET NORTH CAROLINA NORTHEASTWARD TO THE NORTH
CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER INCLUDING THE PAMLICO AND ALBEMARLE
SOUNDS.

A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR:
* NORTH OF THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER TO CAPE HENLOPEN
DELAWARE.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR:
* SAN SALVADOR ISLAND IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS
* FROM CAPE FEAR TO WEST OF BOGUE INLET NORTH CAROLINA.


Tropical Storm Fiona:

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR:
* ST. MARTIN AND ST. BARTHELEMY

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR:
* ANTIGUA, BARBUDA, MONTSERRAT, ST. KITTS, NEVIS, AND ANGUILLA
* ST. MAARTEN, SABA, AND ST. EUSTATIUS


Tropical Depression Nine:

THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR NINE.