Earl strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane; Tropical Storm Gaston forms behind Earl

Earl becomes Category 4 storm; Gaston forms

MIAMI — Forecasters say Hurricane Earl has become a Category 4 storm with top sustained winds of 135 mph as the dangerous and powerful storm heads toward the East Coast.

Behind Earl and Tropical Storm Fiona in the Atlantic, the seventh tropical storm of the season formed. Forecasters said Wednesday that Gaston is the fourth tropical storm to form in the last 11 days.

Gaston’s top sustained winds are about 40 mph.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

MIAMI (AP) — Forecasters say the seventh tropical storm of the season has formed far out in the Atlantic on the heels of Hurricane Earl that’s steaming toward the Eastern Seaboard.

Gaston is the fourth tropical storm to form in the last 11 days for a season that has suddenly become busy.

So far Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center has not issued any watches or warnings for Gaston. The storm has sustained winds of 40 mph with higher gusts and is expected to get stronger over the next two days.