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A tropical storm watch has been issued for northwestern Suffolk County as Hurricane Earl pushes further north. A tropical storm warning is in effect in New Jersey from Cape May to Middlesex County.

The National Weather Service says winds over 39 miles per hour are expected within the next 48 hours. Heavy rains are expected as well.

The Red Cross in Suffolk County says volunteers are on emergency standby and have 50 shelters ready to open, if needed.

"If you are prepared with water and food and your medications, and you can rough it out for a few days with no power it might be better to shelter in place if you have a lot of debris that’s flying around. If you’re flooding if your living situation becomes unsafe, then of course we will be there to house you and shelter you," says Liz Barker, emergency service director for Suffolk County.

Hurricane Earl is expected 100 miles southeast of Long Island.

MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz says the transit authority is preparing its tracks and tunnels to prevent flooding. The MTA says it will discontinue train and bus services if storm winds reach sustained speed of 39 mph.

"Inspections of the system's trains and culverts have already begun to make sure that drains are clear of newspapers and other types of debris that do at times clog those drains," Ortiz says.

But the MTA says residents should not rely on the Long Island Railroad or buses in the event of evacuation. Train and bus services will be discontinued if storm winds reach sustained speeds of 39 mph.

Earl's powerful winds could be extending further from the eye of the starm, and deeper inland. The head of the National Hurricane Center, Bill Read, says changes to the storm's eye are pushing winds of at least 74 miles per hour out over a broader area. He says the strong winds could topple trees and knock out power to thousands of people along the East Coast.

The Office of Emergency Management has not issued an evacuation notice for the area, but has warned residents to have an emergency plan for their families, stock up on pre-prepared foods and water, and have flashlights on hand.