By Armando Duke

(AXcess News) Houston - Hurricane Earl reached North Carolina late Thursday afternoon with wind speeds of 110 mph compared to the 140 mph the prior day, dropping the hurricane to a category 2 strength which will most likely continue to decline by tomorrow night, becoming a tropical storm as it moves up the Atlantic seaboard.

The latest National Weather Service advisory issued at 8pm EST Thursday indicates that hurricane Earl was 160 miles off of Cape Hatteras North Carolina and its wind speed ranged from 110 mph to as high as 165 mph.  The hurricane was moving north at a speed of 18 mph.

A hurricane warning remains in effect for  Bogue Inlet North Carolina northeastward to the North Carolina/Virginia border, including the Pamlico and Albermarle sounds.  Also included are Wesport Massachusetts eastward around Cape Cod to Hull Mass., including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island.

A hurricane watch is in effect for North of the North Carolina/Virgina border to Cape Helopen, Delaware and for Nova Scotia from Medway Harbour to Digby, the National Weather service said.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect for certain parts of North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey and Long Island, NY.

Hurricane Earl is expected to weaken tonight and Friday, but the National Weather Service says "it still remains a hurricane".  Even if the eye of the storm remains offshore, hurricane force winds are expected in the outer banks tonight.  Tropical storm force winds are expected to reach the coast from Virginia to Massachusetts Friday night.

While people living along the coastline from North Carolina north where preparing for the onslaught of hurricane Earl, many are relieved at hearing the force of the hurricane had diminished to Category 2.  When first reported hurricane Earl was a Category 4 hurricane, which if it had maintained its wind speed when it hit North Carolina would have caused hundreds of millions in damage and the death toll could have been in the dozens.  But as it is, most residents are probably considering returning to their homes tonight.  The National Weather Service cautions those who evacuated to remain out of the area until the hurricane has weakened to no less than a tropical storm.  Still, flooding in many areas is expected.  Drivers are asked to use extreme caution and remain alert for possible flooding crossing roadways within 100 miles of the coastline of North Carolina and Virginia.