It has weakened from a Category Four storm to a Category Two, but for people in North Carolina, Hurricane Earl is still an awe-inspiring experience.

Heavy winds, rain and surf are pounding the US eastern seaboard.

Boat owners have battened down the hatches and at least one hundred thousand people have been told to leave the area and head inland for safety.

Many had come to spend the annual US Labor Day holiday weekend on the beach.

Earl is one of the biggest storms to threaten North Carolina since Hurricane Floyd killed more than 50 in 1999. It has top wind speeds of around 140 kilometres an hour and is expected to sideswipe the US Atlantic Coast before heading towards Canada.

Swimming was banned along the coast as the rough seas intensified. It is an abrupt end to the summer season, usually marked by this weekend’s holiday.

Copyright © 2012 euronews