Irene could be "once-in-50-year" hurricane for the Northeast from the standpoint of power outages caused by downed trees alone.
The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center is confident that Irene will strike the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Saturday as a strong Category 3.
Beyond that point, Irene will track extremely close to or over the mid-Atlantic coast and New York City before plowing into western New England. This could mean the worst effects from a hurricane in the region in 50 years.
Irene is expected to track near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and Delmarva coast Saturday night, then could pass within 30 miles of New York City on Sunday as a weakening Category 2 hurricane.
Such a path would lead to severe impacts that has already prompted officials to force large-scale evacuations. All residents and visitors in the path of Irene should heed these orders and prepare homes and businesses for Irene's onslaught in the meantime.
"Numerous road, rail and runway closures are expected as Irene barrels north, underlying the urgency for residents to evacuate immediately," stated AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Bill Deger.
Strong Winds, Coastal Impacts Along and East of Irene's Eye
Irene will spread destructive hurricane-force winds (gusts between 80 to 100 mph) across the Delmarva coast, eastern New Jersey, New York City, western Long Island and southwestern New England.
A track directly over Atlantic City, N.J., and New York City would bring these intense winds westward to Philadelphia.
The strongest and most sustained hurricane-force winds will be measured in the immediate vicinity of Irene's center.
Widespread tree damage, major and lengthy power outages and structural damage to buildings and homes would ensue. Glass windows could shatter along the sides of New York City skyscrapers.
Flying debris and falling trees will heighten the danger for more structural damage and bodily harm.
Downed trees and power lines will litter roads and driveways, making them impassable until cleanup crews arrive.
These winds will whip Richmond, Va., Baltimore, Md., Philadelphia, Pa., Albany, N.Y., and nearly all of New England, threatening to cause significant tree damage and power outages.
The winds will have no trouble downing trees where recent flooding and record rainfall has saturated the ground in areas such as Philadelphia and New York City.
A flooding storm surge will further inundate the entire coastline.
Yachts and boats docked along the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts should be moved to higher ground if possible.
The worst case scenario in terms of flooding storm surge for New York City and the mid-Atlantic coast would be Irene tracking directly overhead or slightly to the west.
Serious Flooding Rain From Irene's Center Westward
Places along and west of the center will be subject to Irene's heaviest rain.
The current path of Irene puts places from eastern North Carolina to eastern Pennsylvania, eastern New York and western New England at risk to receive 4 to 8 inches of rainfall with locally higher totals.
That rain alone will trigger widespread flooding issues, but AccuWeather.com is extremely concerned for serious flood problems where recent heavy rain has already saturated the ground.
The drainage systems in Philadelphia and New York City are sure to get overwhelmed.
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