Americans on the east coast of the continental US may have to forget about their barbecues this July 4th weekend as Hurricane Arthur gains strength and threatens to spoil Independence Day.

Storm warnings prodded organizers of the annual Boston Pops Fourth of July concert and fireworks to move it up a day early, expecting heavy rains ahead of the storm.

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As of 11 a.m. Eastern Time, the storm was bearing sustained wind velocities of 90 mph and could become Category 2 by Thursday night. Earlier, Arthur was about 340 miles southwest of Cape Hatteras and moved north around 9 mph. The US National Hurricane Center forecasts the storm to swipe the coast early Friday, and make landfall in Canada's maritime provinces as a tropical storm.

Mandatory evacuations have started in parts of North Carolina's Outer Banks, although the hurricane may not make landfall anywhere in the state.

A long line of vehicles was observed leaving Hatteras Island after emergency officials ordered all visitors to evacuate.

Island residents received advice to evacuate, although few heeded the warning and chose to stay.

The island is especially vulnerable to storm surges and flooding during the hurricane season.

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory has signed executive orders declaring a state of emergency in 25 counties, and has ordered the deployment of more than 100 National Guard troops to be ready to respond.

Elsewhere in the state, business owners are willing to stay open to take advantage of the July 4th celebrations, however limited they may be.

TagsBoston, North Carolina, Hurricane Arthur