Ships In Norfolk Ready To Evade Hurricane Earl

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Navy says its ships in the Hampton Roads area are ready to head to sea to evade Hurricane Earl if needed.

The Navy said Tuesday that other operations in the area are normal. But preparations are being made for Earl, including placing sandbags in low-lying areas and removing debris from drainage areas.

Navy personnel have been advised to prepare for evacuation in the event one is necessary.

The National Hurricane Center says Earl has strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane with winds near 135 mph (215 kph) as it moves away from the Virgin Islands.

Earl is on a path that could brush the coast of the U.S. later in the week, though it's too early to tell exactly where it will go.

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