Some flooding in US state North Carolina as Earl passes and heads up eastern coast

BUXTON, N.C. - Hurricane Earl kicked up dangerous waves and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast as it blew over open water Friday toward the north after brushing some barrier islands along North Carolina, leaving flooding but no injuries.

The weakened storm passed the barrier islands, called the Outer Banks, before dawn, farther offshore than had been feared but still knocking out power to thousands and closing a road to a main bridge between the islands and the mainland.

The storm remained very much a threat as it swirled up the East Coast toward Cape Cod, Massachusetts. President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency for Massachusetts, which the storm was expected to reach late Friday, to make it easier for the government to provide disaster relief.

By 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT), Earl's maximum sustained winds had decreased to 85 mph (137 kph), making it a Category 1 hurricane.

When Earl sideswiped North Carolina, its winds had dropped to 105 mph (169 kph) from 145 mph (233 kph) a day before. And at its closest approach, its centre passed about 85 miles (135 kilometres) east of Cape Hatteras — up to 50 miles (80 kilometres) farther out than forecasters feared.

North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue said Friday there was no serious damage in her state.

Hurricane-force winds, which start at 74 mph (119 kph), apparently did not reach the Outer Banks, the National Hurricane Center's chief forecaster James Franklin said.

"We still think it will be a hurricane when it passes by Cape Cod," Franklin said. Large swells from Earl will stir up dangerous surf and rip currents along the East Coast, even from far out at sea, the centre said.

The most likely place Earl will make landfall is on Saturday in western Nova Scotia, Canada, where it could still be a hurricane, said hurricane centre deputy director Ed Rappaport. A tropical storm warning was issued early Friday for the coast of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in Canada.

Forecasters said it would away from New Jersey and other mid-Atlantic states.

As of 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT), Earl was about 175 miles (280 kilometres) northeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, moving northeast at 21 mph (34 kph).