The powerful Hurricane Earl is churning its way on Thursday through the Atlantic toward the United States, and will sweep the east coast this weekend.

The government has issued warnings for vast areas of the east coast, and called on residents to prepare for the worst.

Earl, which weakened slightly to category three with winds at nearly 200 kph, is estimated to pound the east coast from North Carolina to Maine with huge waves, pouring rain and gale winds later this week.

The Hurricane is estimated to pass near North Carolina's Outer Banks islands on Thursday night, and move northbound and bring bad weather to New England.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday declared an emergency exists in North Carolina, giving the federal government greenlight to help in case of disaster. Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA) chief Craig Fugate on Thursday urged people to get ready, and not wait until it's too late.

"Time will be running out for people who have not gotten ready, " he said. "We expect conditions along the east coast to deteriorate rapidly tonight and tomorrow."

FEMA has deployed teams to North Carolina and other East Coast states to support storm preparations. The agency has also prepositioned water, food and other essential items for rapid delivery.