“Thousands were fleeing an exposed strip of coastal villages and beaches off North Carolina on Thursday as Irene approached, threatening to become the first major hurricane to hit the East Coast in seven years.
Hours after a hurricane watch was issued for much of the state’s coast, emergency officials expanded evacuation orders to include hundreds of thousands of tourists and locals in four coastal counties. The areas include the barrier island chain known as the Outer Banks, which is expected to take the brunt of Irene’s first hit over the weekend.”
Source: NC counties tell thousands to leave as Irene looms – WTOP.com
