Gov Perdue Declares State of Emergency for Hurricane Earl

By Roderick McClain

09-01-10 – Governor Bev Perdue has declared a State of Emergency for North Carolina in preparation of Hurricane Earl and Wrightsville Beach patrons are taking precautions.

Earl is still more than 700 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras with top sustained winds of 125 mph.

At Wrightsville Beach today, waves have been crashing against the shore and few swimmers are braving the harsh conditions.

Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue Director Dave Baker says only expert swimmers and surfers should enter the water.

"We are under a tropical storm warning and as the storm approaches things will naturally get worse, the wind will increase, and things will become more dangerous."

Baker says his squad isn't that busy with rescues simply because most people are playing it smart and staying out of the water.