Coast Keeps Eye on Earl

Wind, waves and rain from Hurricane Earl could threaten New York area beaches this Labor Day weekend, sending vacationers home early and prompting some officials to ready evacuation plans in case of storm-related flooding. Trackers project the strengthening storm with 135-mph winds, will steam northward, reaching North Carolina by midweek. The National Hurricane Center predicts a 20% to 30% probability that Hurricane Earl will bring winds with at least the intensity of a tropical storm to Greater New York by late Friday or early Saturday. The much-stronger eye of the storm is projected to stay off the East Coast.