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RODANTHE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on tropical weather systems (all times local):
2:30 p.m.
Federal regulators say offshore operators have temporarily evacuated workers from some oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico because of a tropical depression.
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement in Washington said in an emailed statement that personnel were taken off nine platforms by midday Tuesday, or from just a fraction of the 750 manned platforms in the Gulf. It adds workers also were evacuated from one rig and a total of seven rigs had been re-positioned away from the expected path of the storm.
The regulatory agency says its hurricane response team has been activated and is working with offshore operators and other agencies "until operations return to normal and the storm is no longer a threat to Gulf of Mexico oil and gas activities."
The emailed statement didn't say exactly how many workers were evacuated.
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5:15 a.m. HST
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center says a hurricane watch is in effect for the Big Island of Hawaii, warning major Hurricane Madeline could pass "dangerously close."
At 5 a.m. HST (11 a.m. EDT) Tuesday, Madeline was a powerful Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph). The center adds that the storm is centered about 445 miles (715 kilometers) east of Hilo, Hawaii, and moving west at 10 mph (17 kph).
The Center's advisory predicted the storm would pass near Hawaii's Big Island Wednesday and Wednesday night and residents could experience hurricane-force winds, heavy rain and high surf. But it added that some weakening is forecast through late Wednesday.
Hawaii County, which covers the Big Island, urged residents to restock their emergency kits, create evacuation plans and secure outdoor furniture.
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11:10 a.m.
Forecasters say a tropical weather system off the North Carolina coast is expected to pass near the Outer Banks by the evening.
An 11 a.m. update on Tuesday from the National Hurricane Center says the tropical depression could become a named storm later in the day. Its center is also expected to pass near the North Carolina barrier islands in the afternoon or evening.
Top sustained winds were 35 mph (55 kph) with higher gusts, and the storm was centered about 70 miles (115 kilometers) south of Cape Hatteras. A tropical storm warning is in effect for much of the Outer Banks.
In the Gulf of Mexico another tropical depression was about 340 miles (550 kilometers) west of Key West, Florida. Forecasters expect it to become a tropical storm later Tuesday and make a turn to the northeast toward Florida the next day.
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10:45 a.m.
A slow stream of cars is heading north on the main highway off Hatteras Island in North Carolina as crowds of visitors thin ahead of the approach of a tropical weather system.
Dozens of cars with tags from places including Maryland, New York and Ohio were seen headed Tuesday morning toward a bridge to the mainland. There was light, intermittent rain and mostly cloudy skies.
A tropical depression off the Atlantic Coast is expected to become a tropical storm and bring rain and wind to North Carolina's Outer Banks as it passes by early Wednesday.
A public beach near Rodanthe was nearly empty, save for two parents enjoying the morning with their 11-year-old son. Joe and Kelley Walker of Virginia say they plan to stay through the weather and watch movies inside when it gets rainy.
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8:05 a.m.
A tropical depression that threatens the North Carolina coast has turned north-northwestward in the Atlantic.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center says the depression is expected to later curve north and then northeast on Wednesday. Its forecast track shows its center will be near North Carolina's Outer Banks by Tuesday afternoon or evening.
The depression's maximum sustained are near 35 mph (55 kph) and forecasters say it could become a tropical storm later in the day.
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5:20 a.m.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center says a hurricane hunter aircraft has been sent to investigate a tropical depression nearing the North Carolina coast.
The depression's maximum sustained winds remain near 35 mph (55 kph) Tuesday morning but forecasters say it could become a tropical storm later in the day. The depression is centered about 95 miles (150 kilometers) south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and is moving northwest near 6 mph (9 kph).
Meanwhile, another tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico could hit northern Florida as a tropical storm later in the week.
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3 a.m.
Officials say a potential tropical storm is already forming off the coast of North Carolina's Outer Banks. It's expected to bring up to 45 mph winds and heavy rain that could flood low-lying areas.
The tropical depression was about 115 miles (185 kilometers) southeast of Cape Hatteras on Tuesday morning with top sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph). Officials say it's expected to become a tropical storm in coming hours but not grow any stronger.
Beachgoers, boat captains and business owners warily waited for the storm to wash out one of the summer's last busy weeks.
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami also say another tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico could hit northern Florida as a tropical storm later in the week and possibly head toward the Atlantic coast.
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