Hurricane Irene tracked northwards as it neared the U.S. east coast Thursday, with governors in Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and North Carolina declaring states of emergency, and mandatory evacuations taking effect in some coastal areas along the storm's expected path.
In Ocean City, Maryland, mandatory evacuations were ordered beginning at midnight, while in parts of North Carolina, including Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks, evacuations of residents and tourists were already underway Thursday.
The state of emergency declarations allow states to free funds and prepare resources that may be needed in relief operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.
FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, advised residents along the coast to plan an evacuation route and have supplies ready.
The exact path of Hurricane Irene remains unpredictable. Some residents of the eastern seaboard, keeping a nervous eye on storm trackers and weather forecasts, have stockpiled food and water, and bought generators in preparation for expected power outages.
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As of Thursday afternoon, the eye of the Category 3 storm was over Abaco Island in the Bahamas, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said. Maximum sustained winds were at 115 mph, and the hurricane could yet strengthen to Category 4 status.
"The core of the hurricane will continue to move over the northwestern Bahamas today, and pass well offshore of the east coast of central and north Florida tonight and early Friday. The hurricane is forecast to approach the coast of North Carolina on Saturday," the NHC's advisory said.
If Irene continues along its current northerly track, toward areas that do not normally experience hurricane weather, "from a flooding perspective, this could be a hundred-year event," New Jersey Governor Chris Christie told CNN.
Christie encouraged voluntary evacuations to begin immediately, especially for anyone on a barrier island or a beach.
Even if the hurricane does not make landfall, the heavy rains could trigger flooding in some areas.
"The biggest concern is getting people to pay attention and make sure they are ready," Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate said in an interview with CNN.
President Barack Obama is vacationing with his family on Martha’s Vineyard in the storm’s potential path, and received an update on the hurricane Thursday morning, the Washington Post says.
The U.S. military moved more than two dozen ships out to sea in preparation for the storm.
Hurricane Irene is expected to sweep through Ocean City Saturday night into Sunday morning, according to an Accuweather meteorologist quoted by Delmarvanow.com. The Worcester County Times also reported the mandatory evacuation order, which had not been posted on the Ocean City website as of 2:50.
Earlier, officials had asked people to postpone visits until the hurricane passed.
According to a warning on the Ocean City, Md., website, residents are being asked to secure watercraft and their homes and prepare for possible evacuation, under phase one of their hurricane action plan.
People can tune into Ocean City Government Access Channel 4 for information and advisories. Updates are at 410-723-6666 or at www.ocmdemergency.com and on radio 1670 AM
Gale-force winds are expected by 6 p.m. Saturday in that area, with storm-force winds arriving by 4 a.m. Sunday.
Highest wind speeds are expected 9 a.m. Sunday when top winds could reach 90 mph with gusts up to 112 mph, according to the website.
Sustained winds should fall below gale force after 3 p.m.
Total rainfall in the area over the next three days is expected to reach 9.5 inches but may vary as it's difficult to predict,
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