Hurricane Alex threatens Outer Banks

Alex strengthened into the first hurricane of the 2004 North Atlantic season early Tuesday, moving almost parallel to the North Carolina coast.

A hurricane warning is in effect for the state's Outer Banks.

At 2 a.m. ET, Alex's center was about 75 miles (120 kilometers) south-southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Moving northeast at about 9 mph, Alex was picking up forward speed, forecasters said. Maximum sustained winds were near 75 mph (120 km/h), with higher gusts, the center said. Additional strengthening is possible Tuesday.

The NHC classifies a storm as a hurricane when its sustained winds reach 74 mph (118 km/h).

Reports from Air Force Reserve "Hurricane Hunter" aircraft and National Weather Service radar indicated that Alex had reached hurricane strength early Tuesday.

The center said Alex was expected to pass near North Carolina's Outer Banks on Tuesday.

The center issued a hurricane warning for the Pamlico Sound area of the Outer Banks, from Cape Lookout on the south to Oregon Inlet on the north.

"This means that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area during the next 24 hours," the center said. "Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion."

A tropical storm warning is in effect from the mouth of the South Santee River in South Carolina to Cape Lookout.

Winds of tropical storm force -- at least 39 mph (62 km/h) -- extend up to 105 miles (165 kilometers) from the storm's center, posing problems for area shipping traffic.

"Within the local area of Alex itself, wave heights can be in excess of 12 feet," said Chris Sisko of the hurricane center. "So it's quite rough for shipping in that sense. They need to steer clear."

Rainfall accumulations are from 2 to 3 inches, with some higher amounts, the center said.

Alex also was expected to create high surf conditions along much of the U.S. Southeast and Middle Atlantic coast for the next few days, according to the center.

Sisko said swimmers and surfers -- if they enter the water -- should "be on the watch for rip currents. That's certainly a threat as long as Alex remains stationary. It's generating quite a bit of swell."

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is on the southern end of the tropical storm warning area.

Although the weather there Monday was only mostly cloudy, with no high winds or rain, city spokesman Mark Kruea said authorities were taking precautions.

"It depends on what sort of winds we're expecting later in the day," Kruea said. "Typically, if you expect significant winds, we'll go to the trouble of taking all the trash cans off the beach. I don't think we've done that yet.

"We're making sure that everyone is aware and that the beach patrols and lifeguards are keeping an eye on the swimmers and that everybody knows about the riptide possibility," Kruea said.

In the center of the hurricane warning area, in Surf City, North Carolina, Cathi Williams of the Sea Star Motel near the beach said some of her guests were asking about alternative activities if the storm should hit.

"Everybody's out on the beach today," Williams said, including a handful of surfers taking advantage of the high waves