The Islands of The Bahamas were given the all clear late last night, while a calmer Irene makes her way to the northeast United States.
After ravaging The Bahamas, Irene has has been downgraded to a category 2 hurricane. At 11:00am Friday, the eye of the storm is at 30.7 degrees north and 77.3 degrees wes and blowing dangerous winds at 105 mph.
The North Carolina coast is starting to feel the first effects of Hurricane Irene. Forecasters say Hurricane Irene should make landfall along the North Carolina coast as a strong Category Two hurricane mid-morning Saturday.
Back in The Bahamas, Bahamians are cleaning up after Irene pummeled the entire archipelago from Inagua to Grand Bahama, with the southern and central islands receiving the worst beating. In Acklins, 17 homes were destroyed and nearly every home suffered some damage. There is flooding on many islands and trees are down everywhere, including some very large trees. Although damage was extensive, there was, thankfully, no reports of anyone dying.
The government has requested that all non-essential Government workers are to report to work on Monday and banks can also open and resume normal operating hours on Monday.
Other businesses are scheduled to reopen on Saturday.
Government schools should listen for announcements from the Ministry of Education and private school students should listen for announcements from their institutions.
