IRENE Downgraded Slightly as of 5AM

Hurricane warnings extend up the eastern seaboard, as far north as New Jersey. Evacuations are underway in many coastal communities. The storm, as of 5 AM, has sustained winds of 110 mph, and has been downgraded to a Cat. 2, just 1 mph shy of being a Cat. 3. Re-strengthening later today cannot be ruled out. We are expecting Irene to make landfall as a Cat. 2/3 in the Outer Banks of NC, where we're expecting storm surge 6 to 11 feet. Irene will then move northeastward toward the DelMarVa peninsula, NJ shore, and NYC, producing dangerous storm surge, high surf, and rainfall ranging from 6-10".

-KW