As of 5:00 a.m. EDT, August 25, Hurricane Irene was located about 80 miles east-southeast of Nassau and about 735 miles south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, moving to the northwest at 12 mph. Maximum sustained winds remain near 115 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane force winds extend outward 70 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 255 miles. Irene is now a category 3 hurricane. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next day or so. Irene is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches across the Bahamas.
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the North Carolina Coast, north of Surf City, NC, to the North Carolina-Virginia border including the Pamlico, Albemarle, and Currituck sounds. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for north of Edisto Beach, SC, to Surf City, NC. Surf and swells generated by Irene will begin affecting portions of the Southeastern Coast of the U.S. today. These swells are expected to cause life threatening surf and rip current conditions.
The core will move over the northwestern Bahamas today. A turn toward the north-northwest and then toward the north is expected today and tonight and pass well offshore of the East Coast of Central and North Florida tonight and early Friday. Storm surge in areas of onshore flow near the center of Irene expected. A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 7 to 11 feet above normal tide levels over the Bahamas. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. (NOAA, NHC) Mandatory evacuations will be in effect at 5:00 a.m. EDT on today for Ocracoke Island, NC. Voluntary evacuation for New Hanover County (Wilmington) will begin at 6:00 a.m. EDT today. Additional NC counties are expected to issue voluntary and mandatory evacuations today.
