Irene Stirs Up Storm Surge Trouble: Big Pic
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August 25, 2011 -- Hurricane Irene seems to have stabilized as a category 3 storm, with sustained winds of up to 115 mph and higher gusts, but shows no signs of slowing to a level 2 until it hits the Carolinas and the coast of Virginia. The hurricane is expected to approach the coast of North Carolina on Saturday. Though the advancing front has already begun to whip up dangerous swells along the eastern shore.
BIG PICS: Hurricane Irene From Space
The NOAA advisory warns that "swells generated by Irene are affecting portions of the coast of the southeastern United States. These swells will cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions." Storm surge is also expected to raise water levels by as much as 5 to 10 feet above normal tide levels. In Jacksonville, Fl, high tides on Friday between 6 and 8 a.m. EDT and again Friday night between 6 and 8 p.m. EDT are considered peak times for when the worst coastal flooding is expected to occur.
Rainfall amounts in some areas may reach as high as 15 inches over portions of eastern North Carolina and in the mid-Atlantic states along Irene's path. --by Christina Reed
IMAGE: The GOES-13 satellite view of Hurricane Irene as of Thursday, August 25, at 10:02 p.m. EDT. (NASA/NOAA GOES Project)
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