(Detroit Free Press) - A state-by-state look at the dangers of Irene and preparations for the storm.
NORTH CAROLINA
The storm made landfall at 7:30 a.m. Saturday near Cape Lookout with winds of up to 115 m.p.h. and storm surges up to 11 feet high. By late Saturday, four people had died, widespread flooding was reported and more than 580,000 customers were without power. Eighteen counties were under evacuation orders.
VIRGINIA
The state was being lashed by 85-m.p.h. winds late Saturday, and Irene was expected to make landfall around 2 a.m. today. At least two people had died and several homes had been heavily damaged by tornadoes. Eleven communities were evacuated, and 600,000 customers had no power.
MARYLAND AND WASHINGTON, D.C.
The storm was not expected to make landfall in Maryland, but heavy rain and high winds were already pummeling the area late Saturday. A hurricane warning was issued for the Chesapeake Bay region near the mouth of the Potomac River. Flash-flood watches were issued for the Baltimore-Washington metro area. The city of Ocean Park was ordered evacuated. Washington said it planned to shut down its Metro system this morning.
PENNSYLVANIA
Irene was expected to bring high winds and half a foot or more of rain to Philadelphia and Delaware counties early today. No evacuations were ordered, but Philadelphia shut its mass transit system down early today.
DELAWARE
Irene was expected to pass near the Delaware-New Jersey coast about 8 a.m. today. A flood watch was in effect for the whole state.
NEW JERSEY
At least one person was killed late Saturday. Forecasters predicted Irene would pass over or near New Jersey by early or midday today. Nearly 1 million people were ordered to move out of state coastal regions Saturday. The New Jersey Transit System was shut down, and Atlantic City casinos closed for only the third time in their 33-year history.
NEW YORK
The storm was expected to hit the city by 9 a.m. today. Saturday, officials said winds were so high that it no longer was safe to be on the streets. Officials worried that a flood surge could cripple Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. The city ordered evacuations of 370,000 people in low-lying areas but said Saturday night it was no longer safe for people to travel. All subways, buses and trains were shut down.
CONNECTICUT
The storm was expected to track over central Connecticut this afternoon. State officials warned of widespread power outages and flooding.
RHODE ISLAND
Low-lying areas were evacuated Saturday. Officials warned of prolonged power outages and possibly heavy property damage.
MASSACHUSETTS
Forecasters couldn't project exactly where Irene would make land again, but said it could be on Cape Cod this afternoon. No mandatory evacuations were ordered, but the governor deployed 2,500 National Guard troops to deal with emergencies. Officials forecast power outages, flooding and property damage.
NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MAINE
Forecasters predicted that Irene would reach northern New England by late tonight, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and flooding.