Hurricane Irene: First to threaten US in 3 years

MIAMI (AP):

Officials and residents from Florida to the Carolinas stocked up on supplies, dusted off evacuation plans and readied for the worst as Irene, the first hurricane to threaten the United States (US) in three years, churned over tropical waters yesterday after cutting a destructive path through the Caribbean.

Federal officials warned the storm could flood streets and knock down power lines as far north as New England. Irene lost some of its punch yesterday afternoon and was downgraded to a Category One hurricane as it lashed the Turks and Caicos Islands, but the storm remains likely to regain strength and become a major hurricane before making a US landfall.

Serious problems

The hurricane has raked the Caribbean and could cause serious problems along the entire Eastern Seaboard, Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Craig Fugate said on Tuesday during a conference call with reporters. Fugate urged people not to become complacent, even though the forecast is still uncertain and the storm may be days from hitting the US

"We need to remind people, hurricanes are not just a Southern thing. This could be the Mid-Atlantic and the northeast coast," Fugate said. "We've got a lot of time for people to get ready, but we don't have forever."

Officials on North Carolina's Ocracoke Island were taking no chances. Tourists were ordered to evacuate Wednesday, while residents were told to be off the island by tomorrow, said Tommy Hutcherson, who serves on the local board that issues such orders.