As Mid-Atlantic states and the Northeast brace for impact this weekend, Hurricane Irene slapped Florida with gusty winds and splattering rain on Thursday.
The Category 3 storm cut a broad swath as it plowed through the Bahamas with 125 mph winds. Power reportedly was knocked out in Nassau and less populated islands were devastated.
Though Irene was centered 250 miles east of Florida, a tropical storm warning was in effect from the Jupiter Inlet to Flagler Beach. A high surf advisory is in place until 8 p.m. Friday, with waves of 10 to 13 feet battering the beaches.
Gusts of 20-40 mph were recorded along Florida's east coast at midday, and William Booher of the state's Division of Emergency Management said the agency was monitoring the situation.
Forecasts call for squally conditions across Florida over the next 24 hours.
Then comes the heat. As Irene heads north, she will leave a blanket of hot and sticky air over the state.
High humidity levels and 90-plus degree temperatures will bring the heat index well over 100 degrees this weekend. On the beaches, the risk of rip currents will remain high as well.
Periodic thunderstorms and daily high temperatures are expected to continue across the peninsula through the middle of next week.
In the Carolinas, schools were closing Thursday and evacuations were spreading in coastal areas.
In Virginia, the Navy sent its 2nd Fleet out of Norfolk to dodge Irene.
If the storm follows its projected track, it would strike New York City as a Category 2 storm by Sunday -- the first time a hurricane has hit the metro area since 1893.
Bill Read of the National Weather Service said Irene will dump 5-10 inches of rain along the Eastern seaboard, causing flooding, downed trees and sporadic power outages throughout the weekend.
--
Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 801-5341.
