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Hurricane Irene reaches category three on way to US Hurricane Irene reaches category three on way to US
(40 minutes later)
Hurricane Irene has grown to category three force as it barrels towards the east coast of the United States. Hurricane Irene has grown into a category three storm as it barrels towards the east coast of the US.
Irene is now packing winds of 120 mph (193km/h) near the Bahamas, and the storm could reach the US mainland by the end of the week. Irene, which has drenched the Dominican Republic, now boasts winds of 120 mph (193km/h) near the Bahamas, and could reach the US mainland later this week.
Tourists are being evacuated from an island off North Carolina and people are already stocking up on supplies in coastal areas of the US state.Tourists are being evacuated from an island off North Carolina and people are already stocking up on supplies in coastal areas of the US state.
The huge storm has brought flooding and power cuts across the Caribbean.The huge storm has brought flooding and power cuts across the Caribbean.
Federal officials have warned it could do the same along the US east coast as far north as Maine, even if it stays offshore.Federal officials have warned it could do the same along the US east coast as far north as Maine, even if it stays offshore.
Irene may strengthen Irene 'may strengthen'
On Wednesday afternoon, Irene was about 250 miles south-east of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, and crawling north-east at about 12mph. On Wednesday afternoon, Irene was about 250 miles south-east of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, and churning north-east at about 12mph.
Forecasters say the hurricane - which spans more than 400 miles - could strengthen to a category four storm by Thursday.Forecasters say the hurricane - which spans more than 400 miles - could strengthen to a category four storm by Thursday.
Officials as far north as Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the US have been making preparations for its possible arrival.Officials as far north as Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the US have been making preparations for its possible arrival.
Coastal areas could suffer beach erosion because of tidal-surge waves and tropical-storm winds, warned the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
In North Carolina, residents have been buying up fuel and supplies, and plywood to board up windows.In North Carolina, residents have been buying up fuel and supplies, and plywood to board up windows.
Tourists began evacuating Ocracoke Island, off North Carolina, on Wednesday, loading their cars on to ferries bound for the mainland. Authorities ordered tourists and visitors to evacuate Ocracoke Island, off North Carolina, on Wednesday, and the 800 or so residents who live on the barrier island year-round were told to flee on Thursday.
The 800 or so residents who live on the barrier island have been advised to evacuate on Thursday. Newly wed Jennifer Zaharek, 23, of Connecticut, told the Associated Press: "We just got to spend one day on the beach and then we went to bed early to get up for the evacuation."
She and her husband Andrew, who were married on Monday, had hoped to spend their honeymoon on the island.
A number of tourists have caught flights off the Bahamas ahead of the storm's arrival there.A number of tourists have caught flights off the Bahamas ahead of the storm's arrival there.
Smaller hotels were shut on the island and larger resorts were booked up with people seeking a place to ride out the storm.Smaller hotels were shut on the island and larger resorts were booked up with people seeking a place to ride out the storm.
The storm was expected to make many roads impassable in downtown Nassau, the Bahamian capital.The storm was expected to make many roads impassable in downtown Nassau, the Bahamian capital.
Coastal areas could suffer beach erosion because of tidal-surge waves and tropical-storm winds, warned the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
Woman diesWoman dies
On Tuesday, Irene pelted the UK overseas territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands with high winds and heavy rain.On Tuesday, Irene pelted the UK overseas territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands with high winds and heavy rain.
The US state department warned US citizens against travelling to the region.The US state department warned US citizens against travelling to the region.
Hundreds of people in the Dominican Republic took refuge in schools and churches after they were displaced by storm flooding.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.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.
Government offices, schools and the University of Puerto Rico were closed on Wednesday.
A 62-year-old woman died while attempting to drive over a swollen river near the capital, San Juan, the Associated Press reported.A 62-year-old woman died while attempting to drive over a swollen river near the capital, San Juan, the Associated Press reported.
US President Barack Obama declared an emergency - making the island eligible for federal help. And on Tuesday, more than 80 families in the town of Canovanas lost their homes when a river rose suddenly in heavy rain, El Nuevo Dia newspaper reported.
US President Barack Obama declared an emergency, making the island, a US protectorate, 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.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."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.""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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