Hurricane Earl Could Affect TU Opener

The Category 3 storm is heading for the North Carolina coastline. Foul weather could put Tulsa's season opening game against ECU could be in jeopardy.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:55 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Sep 2, 2010 5:13 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – The Golden Hurricane won’t be the only storm in North Carolina this weekend. Hurricane Earl, a category three monster, is working its way up the east coast of the country and threatening to derail Tulsa’s Sunday tilt with East Carolina.

As of Thursday afternoon, no changes have been made to the game day schedule. Tulsa athletic department staff expects the storm to be passed the stadium at that time and relatively harmless.

“Hurricane Earl is forecast to make its closet approach near Cape Hatteras, NC shortly after midnight on Friday,” said Nick Bender, News on 6 meteorologist in Tulsa. “Expect temperatures Sunday afternoon in Greenville, NC to be in the mid 80s with a mostly sunny sky and north winds becoming westerly at 5-15 mph.”

The Labor Day weekend calm could change as the storm gets closer. Hurricane watches were up for most of the North Carolina coast as of Thursday afternoon. Residents are bracing for possible damage.

Evacuation is possible for people near the North Carolina coast. Weather on game day could be back to normal. Tulsa’s game schedule many change depending on the amount of damage that the area suffers. Damage is expected to be minimal to nonexistent.

Tulsa will travel to the Tar Heel state on Saturday morning.