Force Of Earl Remains Uncertain

As Earl spun into a powerful Category 4 storm, the USS Cole hustled to return to its port in Virginia and volunteers carried sea turtle nests to safety.

The highest storm category is 5, which means winds of 156 mph and higher.

Farther up the East Coast, emergency officials urged people to have disaster plans and supplies ready. They weighed whether to order evacuations as they watched the latest maps from the hurricane center -- namely, the "cone of uncertainty" showing the broad path the storm could take.

If Earl moves farther east, tomorrow might just be modestly wet and blustery for millions in the Northeast. If the storm runs along the western edge of the forecast, dangerous storm surge, heavy rain and hurricane-force winds could slam the populous region.