Although skies are still sunny, many residents of the Outer Banks are stocking up on bottled water and other staples, just as a precaution against Hurricane Earl.

The strong Category 3 storm is expected to inflict a glancing blow on the region as it churns northward through the Atlantic. But even a slight jog to the west could bring hurricane force winds to these small communities on a thin chain of barrier islands along the North Carolina coast.

The American Red Cross is operating four warehouses with emergency supplies for the area. The disaster response organization is urging all residents and visitors to keep an emergency kit with drinking water, and to quickly heed any evacuation orders that are issued as the storm gets closer.

Even if the winds and rain stay well out to sea, forecasters say Earl will continue to produce heavy surf and dangerous rip currents along much of the East Coast through the Labor Day Weekend.