Hurricane Earl Crosses Caribbean with Strong Winds

Experts believe the effects of hurricane Earl's landfall would be disastrous.

After lashing the northeast Caribbean islands, Hurricane Earl is on collision course with East Coast and is expected to become the worst storm to hit the region in 20 years.

Hurricane Earl has strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm, generating winds of 215 km/h (135 mph), as it went over Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

After passing through Leeward Island countries such as St. Maarten and others thouggh, no deaths were reported

The second major hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic season, will swipe the US East Coast late on Thursday, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

"Any small shift in the track could dramatically alter whether it makes landfall or whether it remains over the open ocean," AFP quoted meteorologist Wallace Hogsett as saying. "I can't urge enough to just stay tuned."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency urged residents to prepare for severe weather on
Monday as the hurricane could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.

US officials have also warned that there is a very high risk of injury or death to people and livestock due to flying and falling debris.