The center of the storm shifted slightly west on Thursday afternoon. Some coastal towns such as Morehead City, as well as the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune were affected. Ferry service between some islands was suspended. North Carolina officials warned the storm surge could make the narrow 50-mile Highway 12 connecting Hatteras Island to the mainland impassable. Officials asked residents to stay out of rough waters and avoid driving through high water. 400 state troopers are helping with the evacuation efforts. On Friday, Arthur would likely bring heavy rain to Boston and strong winds over Cape Cod and Nantucket. Arthur has disrupted July 4th plans for an estimated 250,000 people on the 200-mile string of islands. People must stay indoors and prepare for flooding, power outages, wind damage and rip tides. More than a dozen communities in New Hampshire and Connecticut moved their July Fourth fireworks display to Saturday. Forecasters expect Hurricane Arthur to pass over the Outer Banks, a 200-mile string of barrier islands along the coast of North Carolina, on Friday night.
