NU Online News Service, Aug. 25, 11:33 a.m. EST

The predicted path of Hurricane Irene has shifted west, which is not a favorable development for New York City.

The National Hurricane Center says there is “significant uncertainty” about how strong Irene will be when it reaches the U.S. coast, but the storm is headed for the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a strong Category 3 hurricane, say forecasters, and then Irene could head for New York City and New England if it stays on its predicted, but uncertain path.

A hurricane watch has been issued for the North Carolina coast from Surf City to the border of Virginia.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for much of the South Carolina coast.

According to the NHC, Irene—as a hurricane or later as a tropical storm—could impact every state up the East Coast from South Carolina.

After hitting the North Carolina coast late Saturday into early Sunday, Hurricane Irene could pass within 30 miles of New York City late Sunday as a weakening Category 2 hurricane, AccuWeather.com says. Such a storm would have sustained winds of at least 96 mph.

“Such a path would lead to severe impacts that could prompt officials to force evacuation,” says Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist.

Any movement in Irene's path west or east could significantly affect impacts to areas along the coast.

On its current path, Irene would cause “widespread tree damage, major power outages and structural damage to buildings and homes would ensue,” adds Pydynowski. “Glass windows could shatter along the sides of New York City skyscrapers.”

Damaging winds of between 40-70 mph will extend 150 miles west and 250 miles east from the storm's center.

Pydynowski advises all boats docked along the Mid-Atlantic and New England coasts be moved. Storm surges will be the worst if the storm tracks a bit to the west, she says.

Along the predicted path, Irene could dump 4-8 inches of rain.

“That rain alone will trigger widespread flooding issues, but AccuWeather.com is extremely concerned for serious flood problems where recent heavy rain has already saturated the ground,” Pydynowski says. “The drainage systems in Philadelphia and New York City are sure to get overwhelmed.”

Currently Hurricane Irene, a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 115 mph, is over the northwestern Bahamas. Storm surge is expected to be dangerous. Up to a foot of rain is forecast here over the next 36 hours, the NHC says.

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