Tropical Storm Arthur threatened to douse some July 4 holiday plans on the U.S. East Coast as officials in several states closed beaches and tourist sites and delayed fireworks shows in anticipation of heavy rain and fierce winds.
The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season was close to reaching hurricane strength, forecasters said on Wednesday, leaving some businesses worried about taking a financial hit.
Local officials predicted the storm would have little impact on tourism spending. Dave Dawson, owner of the Cape Hatteras Motel on North Carolina's Hatteras Island, which was in the storm's path, said he had no cancellations despite predictions of a soaked holiday.
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A hurricane warning was in effect along North Carolina's coast, while part of the South Carolina shore was under a tropical storm warning, the National Hurricane Center said.
Arthur was expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday night or Thursday as it passes well east of Florida's northeast coast, the NHC said. A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when top sustained winds reach 74 mph (119 kph).
The storm remained out at sea with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (113 kph) on Wednesday, about 220 miles (355 km) south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, the Miami-based weather forecasters said.
Arthur could be packing Category 1 hurricane-force winds of 85 mph (135 kph) when the outer bands brush the Carolinas on Thursday and Friday before weakening, according to forecasters.
The storm could produce dangerous rip currents along the coasts of several Southern states, forecasters said, dumping up to 2 inches (5 cm) of rain across the Carolinas and causing flooding from storm surge.
Amy Gaster said her Tybee Island vacation rental company had more than 200 beach homes and condos booked for the weekend, likely to be the busiest of the year. If forecasts start to show a serious threat, Gaster said her staff was prepared to send alerts to guests' cellphones.
But as long as Arthur stays offshore, she said her biggest concerns are rip currents and possible thundershowers on Thursday, when thousands are expected to pack the Georgia coast's largest public beach for fireworks.
"Hopefully Mother Nature is going to cooperate with us this year," Gaster said.
Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have predicted a slow hurricane season for 2014 with eight to 13 tropical storms, the Miami Herald reported. They say three to six could grow into hurricanes and two may become major storms packing winds over 111 mph. On average, 12 named storms form, with six turning into hurricanes and three strengthening to major storms.
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