Irene Heads NE, Drenches DC, Virginia
MIAMI (CBS4) – Hurricane Irene moved out to sea Saturday evening after drenching the outer banks of North Carolina and causing at least 4 deaths. The storm now seems on a direct path move up the coast to Philadelphia and New York City, drenching Washington DC and the Delmarva Peninsula along the way.
At 11:00 p.m., the center of Irene was about 70 miles south-southwest of Ocean City, Maryland and 225 miles SSW of New York City. Sustained winds remained at 80 miles per hours, meaning Irene remains a Category 1 hurricane even after a brush with land, and higher gusts were still possible in and around the eye of the storm.
Irene was moving to the north-northeast at 16 miles per hour, picking up a bit of speed, and that general motion should continue for the next 24 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Hurricane force winds extend out 125 miles from the core of the storm, with tropical storm force winds reaching out 240 miles.
The National Hurricane center said it expects tropical storm conditions to extend into New Jersey and Long Island overnight into Sunday morning.
A storm surge of about 4 feet was observed at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, near a record level. A storm surge of between 4-8 feet is predicted as the storm moves back onto land.
Preps Made Along The East Coast
Irene's approach prompted evacuations, flight cancellations, train cancellations and has effectively shutdown much of the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Connecticut.
- Click Here For More On East Coast Preparations
- Latest On Preparations From Baltimore
- Check Out The Latest On Preparations In The Big Apple
- Philadelphia Prepares For Worst Case Scenario
- Boston Residents Told To Have Plans In Place
WARNINGS AND WATCHES at 11 p.m.
The following warnings have been issued:
HURRICANE WARNINGS for Cape Fear, North Carolina northward to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, including the Pamlico, Albemarle, and Currituck Sounds, Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay south of Drum Point, New York City, Long Island, Long Island Sound, Coastal Connecticut and Rhode Island, Block Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING for Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point northward and the Tidal Potomac; and north of Sagamore Beach to Merrimack River; U.S. border to Fort Lawrence Canada; and the south coast of Nova Scotia from Fort Lawrence to Porters lake.
You can get complete details on the storm, including up-to date maps and forecasts, at the CBSMiami Tropical Weather Center.
You can also check on preps for tropical weather with checklists, shutter advice, and even preparation videos at CBSMiami Hurricane Preps
