Ocean City Maryland, Outer Banks and other Costal Cities Issue Mandatory Evacuations and Make Preparations as Storm Trackers Follow Hurricane Irene up the East Coast

Irene is currently impacting the Bahamas after dumping more than 30 inches of rain on Puerto Rico in a single day. The hurricane will be off the Florida coast later tonight and into Friday before continuing up the east coast of the U.S.

In many coastal towns and cities mandatory evacuations are already being issued. Most recently the coastal vacation city of Ocean City Maryland issued a mandatory evacuation starting at midnight tonight. The outer banks of the Carolinas are also in the potential path for destruction.

Other northeastern cities are following the storm tracker and their weather including Boston and Philadelphia for updates. Some experts are forecasting the possibility of the Irene reaching category 4 or 5 if it maintains its current path.

Experts are warning that this storm could pack a severe punch and that it is critical for individuals to heed any warnings or evacuation orders from local governments. For additional updates, check local weather or with NOAA.