Chatham prepares for weakened Earl

CHATHAM (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - Officials in Chatham say they are relieved that Earl has weakened but are still warning residents and tourists not to "tempt fate" by venturing too close to the water at the height of the storm Friday night.

Harbormaster Stuart Smith told a late afternoon briefing that he expected the storm to produce only minor flooding, mostly along vulnerable coastal areas where a barrier beach that once sheltered the coastline was breached by previous storms.

Despite the hurricane forecast, shops and restaurants in downtown Chatham were busy with tourists on Friday, the day before the start of the long Labor Day weekend.

A few stores boarded up their windows with plywood, including one that also posted a handwritten sign reading: "C'mon Earl, we're ready for you."