Prepping for Hurricane Earl

Groton, Conn. (WTNH) - Even though Hurricane Earl is still days away from Connecticut, boat owners, marinas and business along the Connecticut shore are getting ready in case it hits.

Noank Shipyard in Groton really took a pounding during the last big storm back in March.

The most vulnerable boats would be evacuated first, others would be moved to Noank's other boatyard in Mystic and some would be hauled out of the water.

"It's a very tricky decision as to when you pull the trigger to start and make these decisions for evacuation. It depends on the speed of the storm, the strength of the storm, the eventual track of the storm," said Kathleen Burns, Noank Shipyard.

Deirdre Mears owns two restaurants and hopes that if Earl does strike, it happens before the busy Labor Day weekend.

"Whenever there's a hurricane or a threat of a hurricane first you have to worry about the tourists just thinking 'oh my goodness there could be a hurricane, the weather's gonna be bad, we'll make reservations somewhere else' and go somewhere else," she said.

Deirdre owns both Abbott's Lobster in the Rough and Costello's Clam Shack next door in the Noank Shipyard. She says if there's any sign of danger they'll be doing a lot more than cleaning the tables.

"All the tables have to come in, everything has to come in off, the docks, all the signs, the tent has to come down," she said.

Captain Jesus Salazar is delaying plans to sail his yacht to Sag Harbor for the holiday.

"We're gonna wait and see where the storm is gonna go on Tuesday. We're gonna sit here until the storm goes by," he said.

For the latest on Hurricane Earl, stay with Storm Team 8.