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Hurricane Irene reaches category three on way to US | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Hurricane Irene has grown to category three force as it barrels towards the east coast of the United States. | |
Irene is now packing winds of 110 mph (185km/h) near the Bahamas, and the storm could reach the US mainland by the end of the week. | |
Voluntary evacuations have begun on a barrier island off North Carolina. People are already stocking up on supplies. | |
The storm has already brought flooding and power cuts across the Caribbean. | |
Federal officials have warned Irene could do the same along the US east coast as far north as Maine, even if it stays offshore. | |
In the state of North Carolina, residents have been buying up fuel and supplies, and plywood to board up windows. | |
On Tuesday, Irene pelted the UK overseas territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands and south-eastern parts of the Bahamas with high winds and heavy rain. | |
Hundreds of people in the Dominican Republic took refuge in schools and churches after they were displaced by storm flooding. | |
In Puerto Rico, the storm knocked out power to more than half the island and affected the water supplies of more than 100,000 people. | |
US President Barack Obama declared an emergency - making the island eligible for federal help. | US President Barack Obama declared an emergency - making the island eligible for federal help. |
Craig Fugate, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, advised residents of the east coast from the Mid-Atlantic region up to New England to prepare for the hurricane's arrival. | |
"It's going to be close and whether we get a brush or whether we have a landfall, it's too early to say," he told ABC television. | |
"Go ahead and make sure you're ready and then if evacuations are required, heed those evacuation orders." | |
Are you in the path of Hurricane Irene? How are you preparing for the storm? You can get in touch using the form below: | Are you in the path of Hurricane Irene? How are you preparing for the storm? You can get in touch using the form below: |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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