1500 Hours, Friday, Sept. 3, 2010: Sussex County has escaped the fury of the once major Hurricane Earl, suffering little more than occasional wind gusts and rough seas as local resort communities head into the final weekend of summer.

Just as National Hurricane Center forecasters and computer models predicted, the storm’s center only managed to threaten the East Coast, never making landfall with fierce winds that, at one point, raged at 145 mph.

The weakening storm is expected to continue its race toward New England this evening, leaving behind only a few signs of its presence in the Mid-Atlantic region. Rough surf and strong rip currents are expected to persist through the Labor Day weekend, but the weather should be pleasant with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s to low 80s – a nearly perfect close to the summer of 2010.

“We are fortunate Sussex County managed to dodge the storm this time,” Sussex County EOC Director Joseph L. Thomas said. “But, make no mistake, Hurricane Earl was a major threat that could have severely affected us.”

The Sussex County Emergency Operations Center reminds those visiting area beaches this weekend to enjoy these last days of summer, but exercise caution if heading into the surf for a swim. Large swells and potentially dangerous rip currents remain a possibility in the wake of the storm.

Always heed the direction of lifeguards on duty at local beaches and state parks, and obey any posted restrictions or closures.

###