HURRICANE IRENE IS AN EXTREME THREAT LEVEL FOR EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA TO SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND.  COMPUTER MODELS ARE TRENDING TOWARDS A FORECAST SOLUTION OF RARE POTENCY FOR PORTIONS OF THE NORTHEAST!  IRENE WILL BE A SERIOUS AND MULTI-HAZARD THREAT FOR THOSE IN NORFOLK, WASHINGTON, D.C., BALTIMORE, PHILADELPHIA, NEW YORK CITY, HARTFORD, AND BOSTON. THIS HURRICANE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE FLOODING RAINS, HIGH WINDS, DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES. SIGNIFICANT BEACH EROSION, HIGH WAVES, AND STORM SURGE IS LIKELY ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COASTAL AREAS. IRENE WILL MAKES ITS CLOSEST APPROACH TO NORTH CAROLINA LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. NORTHEAST U.S. CAN EXPECT SERIOUS IMPACT FROM IRENE BEGINNING SATURDAY NIGHT AND LASTING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE WITH WIDESPREAD DAMAGE AND INJURIES AND FATALITIES TO THOSE WHO REMAIN IN THE PATH OF IRENE. THIS IS A CRITICAL STORM ALERT! EVACUATION PLANS SHOULD BEGIN NOW. THIS STORM WILL IMPACT A SIGNIFICANT LARGE POPULATION OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. EVACUATION ROUTES WILL BECOME VERY CONGESTED. PLEASE MAKE PLANS NOW TO EVACUATE IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF IRENE!