Hurricane Earl huge, heading for N. Carolina, size larger than California (photos, video)

Hurricane Earl huge, heading for N. Carolina, size larger than California (photos, video)

BUXTON, N.C. -- As predicted, Hurricane Earl will be heading toward North Carolina tonight, Thursday, where within just a few hours the state will be struck with strong hurricane force winds and violent pounding surf.

See a slide show of dramatic Hurricane Earl pictures here

This monster storm, Hurricane Earl, is larger in size than the state of California, and it will hit N. Carolina’s Outer Banks during the night, says AC360

"It's a serious storm, and we all need to treat it like a serious storm. We're watching very carefully and will all night," reports North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue.

After battering North Carolina, Hurricane Earl will head to the north. Right now hurricane or tropical storm watches have been issued for all states from Virginia to Nova Scotia in Canada.

Local at Atlantic Beach were prepared with many having generators, access to water wells, hot water pumps and a stockpile of essentials, says the BBC.

Still others in the area were going to brave the storm by having parties.

This story on Hurricane Earl is ongoing. Meantime Hurricane Fiona continues to gain strength in the Atlantic.

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San Francisco residents can follow news on Hurricane Earl and other news stories by watching San Francisco’s news station KTVU. The news comes on at 4pm, 5pm and 10pm.

For a detailed hurricane weather map, readers can check out: the NOAA information.

See related Hurricane Earl articles here:

Hurricane Earl now Category 3 hurricane, N. Carolina next?

Hurricane Earl still headed to N. Carolina, Fiona gaining strength in Atlantic

Hurricane Earl approaching East Coast, evacuations possible (photos, video)