BOSTON -- Residents along the East Coast prepared for possible evacuations as powerful Hurricane Earl continued to make its way toward the United States Wednesday.

Earl was downgraded to a Category 3 storm early Wednesday, but still packed sustained winds of 125 mph. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said fluctuations in strength are possible during the next 48 hours.

Earl is located about 815 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C., and moving northwest near 16 mph.

"Earl looks to make its closest pass to New England sometime Friday night. The question is how close will it be? That determines the strength of the wind and intensity of the rain. At this time, it looks like we will have some rain and wind, with the greatest chance of tropical storms force winds in southeastern Massachusetts," StormTeam 5's David Brown said.

"We can't totally rule out a very close approach to either of the Cape Hatteras areas or Cape Cod and southern New England as the storm progresses further," said Bill Read, director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

In Massachusetts, Earl's effects were already being felt. Many mariners were taking advantage of the calm before the storm to pull their boats out or to move them to more protected areas.

"It's just getting ahead of the hurricane. You can never be too sure," said one boater.

Dangerous conditions due to rip currents and undertows have forced officials to close portions of beaches in Gloucester.

At least 12 swimmers needed assistance getting out of the water at Good Harbor and Wingaersheek beaches on Tuesday, according to Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk. Lifeguards can close all or portions of the beaches at their discretion, and in sections that are open, swimmers have been told to go no further than waist deep.

A man died after he was pulled from the waters off Eastern Point in Gloucester on Monday afternoon.

State officials want residents to be prepared. Peter Judge, of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, said families should have a three-day supply kit, a communications plan and a full tank of gas in their vehicles in case evacuations are ordered.