UK travellers to the US east coast are being urged to monitor weather reports and evacuate if necessary as Hurricane Arthur hit North Carolina.
July 4 holiday plans were wrecked as the category 2 storm blew in carrying winds of up to 100mph.
Towns all along the state’s coast rescheduled Independence Day events and fireworks.
Strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding is expected, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned.
“Sporadic tornadoes are possible. Swimmers should be alert to strong ocean rip currents following the storm,” the FCO added.
“You should follow weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities, including if ordered to evacuate.”
Hurricane Arthur is forecast to affect South Carolina, North Carolina and southern Virginia until Saturday and coastal areas of the New England region, particularly Cape Cod, until Sunday.