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New Brunswick communities in the path of Hurricane Earl are bracing for the storm's impact Saturday.

The hurricane's current track has it hitting around the areas of Aulac and Sackville at about 3 p.m. Saturday.

Eric Mourant, chief administrative officer and co-ordinator for emergency measures for Sackville, said the town's public works department, along with fire and police services, are all on alert with staff on call.

He said they are particularly concerned about the potential flooding that Earl could cause.

"We're making sure that all the catch basins and the manholes are free of any debris so that that would allow for the evacuation of the waters without obstructions," Mourant said.

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Earl weakened to a Category 1 storm Friday morning, with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h.

The storm was south-southwest of Cape Cod, moving north-northeast at 33 km/h.

Chris Fogarty, program manager of the Canadian Hurricane Centre, said Friday afternoon that he expected Saint John would be on the weaker side of the storm, given the current track. That means the southern city could see wind gusting at 60 to 80 km/h but it could still see as much as 50 millimetres of rain falling over two hours.

The city has increased the chlorine in its water supply to deal with potential turbidity caused by heavy rains, and it has dug ditches in the flood-prone Glen Falls neighbourhood on the city's East Side.

There is a tropical storm warning for the Fundy coast, in southeastern New Brunswick, and for Moncton, as well as a tropical storm watch for Kent County, including Kouchibouguac National Park. Any of those regions could see winds hit a maximum of 90 km/h, starting Saturday morning.

Storm preparation

People in Moncton are heeding the advice to assemble emergency kits in advance of the storm.

Wally Johnson, building materials sales manager at Cook's Home Hardware, said a lot of customers are coming in to pick up supplies.

"Since the beginning of the morning it's increased. The weather forecasts are a little more certain that the storm is coming our way," Johnson said.

"So they are looking at flashlights, batteries, propane cylinders for the barbecue and cookouts, lamp oil and such."

The Greater Moncton International Airport is calling in extra staff just in case the storm causes delays and cancellations at the airport this weekend.

Rob Robichaud, the airport authority's general manager, said he has alerted vendors and security to make sure there are extra supplies, such as water and meals, that could be made available to any stranded travellers.

"We actually have staff on standby and they're ready to come in," Robichaud said. "Obviously, there are things that can happen. Flooding can take place or ... we can lose our power."

Robichaud is also asking travellers to check the airport's website for flight delays and cancellations.

Parks closing

Ryan Donaghy, a spokesman with the Department of Tourism and Parks, said six provincial parks will be closed Friday night and Saturday.

The provincial government is closing Murray Beach, the Anchorage, New River Beach, Herring Cove, Parlee Beach and the Hopewell Rocks. Fundy National Park closed Friday afternoon as well and will not reopen before Sunday afternoon.

Campers on Grand Manan Island and Campobello Island are also being encouraged to find alternate accommodations.

But Donaghy said staff will be on hand to help those who choose to remain.

On Friday afternoon, the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization issued a severe weather warning for the southern half of New Brunswick and a severe weather watch for the rest of the province.

The organization said in a release that residents can call the Emergency Operations Centre at 506-460-2996 if they have any questions or to report damage.