[Squeernemergo]

Hurricane Irene may be worst storm system to hit Northeast U.S. in 50 years

August 25, 2011
MIAMI – There is potential for the worst hurricane impacts
in 50 years along the northern part of the Atlantic Seaboard as Irene plows
northward. The impacts on lives, property, commerce and travel will be serious.
While Irene is not forecast to track as far west, nor as fast, as Hazel did in
1954, it will ride up along the mid-Atlantic coast in such a way as to inflict
major damage in many coastal and some inland communities.
In today’s dollars, Hazel was a multi-billion-dollar storm and reached
Category 4 at peak intensity. Irene will track farther east than Hazel,
and farther west than Bob (1991). Meteorologist Heather Buchman
compares Irene to storms in the past. While Irene is expected to
weaken Saturday into Sunday after encountering cooler waters in
northern latitudes, that will not happen fast enough to prevent
serious problems from wind, rain and ocean water.
If you live near the projected path of Irene, you are at risk for
power outages, flooding problems and property damage with this storm.