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Hurricane Irene stengthens over Turks and Caicos Hurricane Irene reaches category three on way to US
(about 7 hours later)
Hurricane Irene has strengthened to category two force after churning over the Turks and Caicos islands and is now heading towards the Bahamas. Hurricane Irene has grown to category three force as it barrels towards the east coast of the United States.
US meteorologists warn the weather system could strengthen further and hit the US east coast over the weekend. 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.
Irene had top wind speeds of 100mph (155km per hour) and was 400 miles (650km) south-east of Nassau, the US National Hurricane Center said. Voluntary evacuations have begun on a barrier island off North Carolina. People are already stocking up on supplies.
It added that Irene could become "a major" hurricane in the next 48 hours. The storm has already brought flooding and power cuts across the Caribbean.
Officials earlier warned the entire US east coast should be ready for the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. Federal officials have warned Irene could do the same along the US east coast as far north as Maine, even if it stays offshore.
The US officials said the storm could possibly make landfall in Georgia, South Carolina or North Carolina. In the state of North Carolina, residents have been buying up fuel and supplies, and plywood to board up windows.
Irene - which was earlier downgraded to a category 1 storm - has already brought heavy downpours as it swept over the Dominican Republic where 1,000 people sought refuge in shelters. 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.
Praying Hundreds of people in the Dominican Republic took refuge in schools and churches after they were displaced by storm flooding.
On Tuesday, Irene was pounding the UK overseas territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands with winds and rain; south-eastern parts of the Bahamas were also feeling the effects. 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.
"I pray God's blessing on us all," Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said, urging residents to take shelter.
It was not immediately known if Irene caused any major damage to the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas.
Earlier 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:
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