Irene has made it to a Category 3 Hurricane, 115 mph winds, which is MAJOR on the Saffir Simpson Scale ( http://chps.sam.usace.army.mil/USHESdata/saffirscale.htm)
NC – Friday/Saturday – Major Impact – Serious situation for Outer Banks and eastern part of the state. Please heed evacuation requests. Likely to be more widespread tomorrow morning. A category 2 or 3 hurricane is serious and has not been something that has been experienced in a long while – MAKE PREPARATIONS TODAY AND EVACUATE. Outer Banks should not be occupied when she comes through!
VA – Saturday/Sunday – Eastern VA will feel the effects of the storm especially from the coast to about 50 miles inland. Again, heed evacuation requests. Eastern Shore especially vulnerable
Maryland – Saturday/Sunday – Serious impacts along coast to about 50 miles inland. Eastern Shore is the most vulnerable.
Delaware – Saturday/Sunday – All of Delaware to be effected. The coast is obviously the most vulnerable
Pennsylvania – Sunday/Monday – Mainly eastern areas and this will be wind and rain.
NJ – Sunday/Monday – Major impacts, especially along the coast. High winds and heavy rains likely.