"Hurricane Irene aims its fury toward the North Carolina Coast," the update warns. According to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 p.m. update, Hurricane Irene is 490 miles south-southwest of Cape Hatteras. Irene is moving toward the north at 14 mph, and this motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours. A gradual turn toward the north-northeast should begin after that.
Irene remains a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. Some overnight strengthening is expected.Brunswick County is under a hurricane warning. A state of emergency is in effect beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, Aug. 26.All Brunswick County public schools are closed Friday. Brunswick Community College will close at 3 p.m.Officials will close the Oak Island bridges at 40 mph sustained winds. Sunset Beach will close at 45 mph sustained winds. Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach officials close the bridges at 50 mph sustained winds.Tropical storm force winds are expected within the southern portion of the warning area along East Coasty by late Friday. Hurricane force winds are expected to first reach the hurricane warning area by Saturday.An extremely dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 5 to 10 feet above ground level within the hurricane warning area including the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds.
The surge will be accompanied by large, destructive and life-threatening waves. Irene also has the potential to produce significant storm surge flooding within the hurricane watch area.Six to 10 inches of rain are expected, with 15 inches possible in portions of Eastern North Carolina.
Irene remains a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. Some overnight strengthening is expected.
Brunswick County is under a hurricane warning. A state of emergency is in effect beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, Aug. 26.
All Brunswick County public schools are closed Friday. Brunswick Community College will close at 3 p.m.
Officials will close the Oak Island bridges at 40 mph sustained winds. Sunset Beach will close at 45 mph sustained winds. Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach officials close the bridges at 50 mph sustained winds.
Tropical storm force winds are expected within the southern portion of the warning area along East Coasty by late Friday. Hurricane force winds are expected to first reach the hurricane warning area by Saturday.
An extremely dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 5 to 10 feet above ground level within the hurricane warning area including the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds.
The surge will be accompanied by large, destructive and life-threatening waves. Irene also has the potential to produce significant storm surge flooding within the hurricane watch area.
Six to 10 inches of rain are expected, with 15 inches possible in portions of Eastern North Carolina.
Evacuations and shelters
Brunswick County Emergency officials have issued a voluntary evacuation for residents who live in low-lying or flood-prone areas, mobile homes or homes that are subject to damage.
Holden Beach Mayor Alan Holden issued a voluntary evacuation proclamation Thursday. Oak Island Mayor Betty Wallace has issued a mandatory evacuation for all non-residents at 10 a.m. Friday. All residents are under a voluntary evacuation.
Red Cross shelters, at North, West and South Brunswick high schools, will open at 2 p.m. Friday.
West Brunswick is the only pet-friendly shelter, but residents can bring pets to the other shelters. Pets might be taken to an alternate location, such as the Brunswick County Animal Shelter.
