Tropical Storm Watch issued for Earl along Connecticut Shoreline

(WTNH) - A Tropical Storm Watch is posted along the Connecticut Shoreline and a Tropical Storm Warning is up for Long Island as Hurricane Earl moves closer.

The storm is expected to track to the east of Connecticut, but parts of the state could see winds up to 55 mph, Storm Team 8 Meteorologist Gil Simmons said.

"This thing is still strengthening at this hour," Simmons said during a televised forecast at 5:15 a.m. "It will continue to actually pick up speed as it moves further North...."

Some areas in Eastern Connecticut could get six inches of rain on Friday. A lot of folks who live along Connecticut's coast are watching Earl's move. They want to make sure they are ready just in case.

"We are not looking for a direct hit," Storm Team 8 Meteorologist Matt Scott said, "but it is such a massive storm ... that even a miss means we will feel the fringe effects of heavy rain and heavy winds."

The Red Cross says there are already efforts underway to make sure there will be enough volunteers ready for the weekend just in case they're needed.

The agency says this is a good time to make sure you have working flashlights, a battery powered radio and three days worth of food and water.

"Have enough bottled water on hand for a week. I know that seems extreme but that is the sort of thing you need to be prepared for," Scott said.

Don't buy the food people always seem to get -- milk and eggs -- it's not what you want to have when the power goes out.

If you live in a place prone to flooding, think about your evacuation plan and where you could go in a worst case scenario. And if you have any furry friends make sure that place allows pets.