Mass. Coast gets Hurricane Warning Ahead of Earl

BOSTON (AP) – Officials in New England's coastal areas are bracing for high seas, heavy rains and strong winds as Hurricane Earl approaches the region.

A hurricane warning has been issued for the Massachusetts coast from Westport to Hull, including Cape Cod and the Islands. A tropical storm warning is in effect from New Haven, Conn., to Westport, Mass., including Block Island. A tropical storm watch is
in effect from Hull, Mass., to Eastport, Maine.

Currently a category 4 storm, Earl is expected to weaken to a category 2 by the time it reaches New England on Friday night.

The National Weather Service is predicting winds gusting up to 85 miles per hour for Cape Cod and gusts of more than 100 mph on Nantucket.

Nantucket Assistant Town Manager Gregg Tivnan says the island opening a shelter at the high school.

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