NASA Image-Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene heading over Virginia Beach

Teri Thompson

Residents look out over the beach during Hurricane Irene August 27, 2011 in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Hurricane Irene hit Dare County, which sits along the Outer Banks and includes the vacation towns of Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, as a category one hurricane around mid-day.

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Denis Hromin stands on a pier to get a picture of the beach during Hurricane Irene August 27, 2011 in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.

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Alex Askew (R) takes a photo of Kris Bush while they look over the beach during Hurricane Irene August 27, 2011 in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.

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People shield themselves from blowing sand and rain as they look over the beach during Hurricane Irene August 27, 2011 in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.

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(L to R) White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley, Secretary of Health and Human Services Janet Napolitano and U.S. President Barack Obama (L) listens to FEMA administrator Craig Fugate during a midday daily video teleconference led by FEMA to at the monitor the federal response Hurricane Irene at FEMA Headquarters August 27, 2011 in Washington, D.C.

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A resident looks out over the beach during Hurricane Irene August 27, 2011 in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.

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Employees of Paragon Sporting Goods store board up the store front windows in preparation of Hurricane Irene on 18th Street on August 27, 2011 in New York City. Many shops closed for the weekend in preperation for Hurricane Irene, causing a rush of shopping Friday night and Saturday morning.

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Alex Askew (L) and Alina Power shield their faces from blowing sand as they walk along the beach during Hurricane Irene August 27, 2011 in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.

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U.S. President Barack Obama (3rd L) participates in a midday daily video teleconference led by FEMA to at the monitor the federal response Hurricane Irene at FEMA Headquarters August 27, 2011 in Washington, D.C. Irene, now a Category 1 hurricane, has made landfall in North Carolina on its way up the eastern seaboard.

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Officers with the New York City Parks Department warn people to evacuate in the Rockaways before the arrival of hurricane Irene which is expected to make landfall in New York City sometime late Saturday and early Sunday on August 27, 2011 in the Queens borough of New York.

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Workers put tape on a window of a spa in preparation for Hurricane Irene in the SoHo section of Manhattan on August 27, 2011 in New York City. Irene, now a Category 1 hurricane, has made landfall in North Carolina on its way up the eastern seaboard.

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'Bad Irene' is written in tap in a window of Serenity Spa on 6th Avenue on August 27, 2011 in New York City. Many stores in New York closed for the weekend due to Hurricane Irene, which is supposed to hit New York sometime in the early hours of Sunday morning.

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Waves from Hurricane Irene pound the beach, on August 27, 2011 in Ocean City, Maryland. The state of Maryland has declared a state of emergency as heavy winds and surf from Hurricane Irene approaches the coast.

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The Ocean City Pier is hit with heavy waves from approaching Hurricane Irene, on August 27, 2011 in Ocean City, Maryland. The state of Maryland has declared a state of emergency as heavy winds and surf from Hurricane Irene approaches the coast.

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Heavy rain falls in Sandbridge from Hurricane Irene on August 27, 2011 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Category 1 storm made landfall in North Carolina early Saturday morning.

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CNN iReporter Julia C. Bishop shot these photos of heavy waves Friday, nearby Oak island, SC. Bishop says she has been through many hurricanes and is trying to be prepared with plenty of supplies and stored water. But she does plan to stay, believing she should be safe as she is further inland.

CNN iReporter Julia C. Bishop shot these photos of heavy waves Friday, nearby Oak island, SC. Bishop says she has been through many hurricanes and is trying to be prepared with plenty of supplies and stored water. But she does plan to stay, believing she should be safe as she is further inland.

CNN iReporter Julia C. Bishop shot these photos of heavy waves Friday, nearby Oak island, SC. Bishop says she has been through many hurricanes and is trying to be prepared with plenty of supplies and stored water. But she does plan to stay, believing she should be safe as she is further inland.

CNN iReporter Julia C. Bishop shot these photos of heavy waves Friday, nearby Oak island, SC. Bishop says she has been through many hurricanes and is trying to be prepared with plenty of supplies and stored water. But she does plan to stay, believing she should be safe as she is further inland.

CNN iReporter Julia C. Bishop shot these photos of heavy waves Friday, nearby Oak island, SC. Bishop says she has been through many hurricanes and is trying to be prepared with plenty of supplies and stored water. But she does plan to stay, believing she should be safe as she is further inland.

CNN iReporter Julia C. Bishop shot these photos of heavy waves Friday, nearby Oak island, SC. Bishop says she has been through many hurricanes and is trying to be prepared with plenty of supplies and stored water. But she does plan to stay, believing she should be safe as she is further inland.

CNN iReporter Julia C. Bishop shot these photos of heavy waves Friday, nearby Oak island, SC. Bishop says she has been through many hurricanes and is trying to be prepared with plenty of supplies and stored water. But she does plan to stay, believing she should be safe as she is further inland.

Rain and wind from Hurricane Irene hit Kill Devil Hills, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Rain and wind from Hurricane Irene hit Kill Devil Hills, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Rain and wind from Hurricane Irene hit Kill Devil Hills, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Rain and wind from Hurricane Irene hit Kill Devil Hills, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Rain and wind from Hurricane Irene hit Kill Devil Hills, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Loud wind howled along the shore line as Hurricane Irene moved through Nags Head, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Loud wind howled along the shore line as Hurricane Irene moved through Nags Head, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Loud wind howled along the shore line as Hurricane Irene moved through Nags Head, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Loud wind howled along the shore line as Hurricane Irene moved through Nags Head, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Loud wind howled along the shore line as Hurricane Irene moved through Nags Head, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Loud wind howled along the shore line as Hurricane Irene moved through Nags Head, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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The Statue of Liberty was covered by mist ahead of Hurricane Irene on Aug. 27, 2011.

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People look out on the rough surf caused by the outer fringes of Hurricane Irene on August 27, 2011 in Water Mill, New York. Irene is moving through North Carolina and is expected to arrive in the New York area on Sunday.

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A deserted boardwalk at Brighton Beach as the area prepares for hurricane Irene which is expected to make landfall in New York City sometime late Saturday and early Sunday on August 27, 2011 in New York City.

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New Yorkers in low-lying areas evacuate as Hurricane Irene takes aim on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Street flooding occurred as a result of Hurricane Irene's landfall in Atlantic Beach, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Street flooding occurred as a result of Hurricane Irene's landfall in Atlantic Beach, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Street flooding occurred as a result of Hurricane Irene's landfall in Atlantic Beach, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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Street flooding occurred as a result of Hurricane Irene's landfall in Atlantic Beach, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.

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A beach-front cottage is pounded by wind and rain from Hurricane Irene August 27, 2011 in Nags Head, North Carolina. The eye of the hurricane is expected to hit Dare County, which sits along the Outer Banks and includes the vacation towns of Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, around mid-day.

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North Carolina after Irene

resident rides his scooter through flloodwater, left behind in the wake of Hurricane Irene August 28, 2011 in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Hurricane Irene hit Dare County, which sits along the Outer Banks and includes the vacation towns of Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, as a category one hurricane around mid-day yesterday causing wind and flood damage.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel covering Hurricane Irene

A stranded sailboat founders in the surf along the Willoughby Spit area of Norfolk, Va. as Hurricane Irene hits Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011. The live-aboard couple attempted to outrun the storm and got caught up in the high surf and wind. They were rescued by local fire and rescue personnel. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

New York television stations covering Hurricane Irene

In this handout satellite image provided by NASA, Hurricane Irene churns of the east coast of the United States, August 27, 201, in the Atlantic Ocean. Irene, now a Category 2 storm, has started to lash the eastern coast of the U.S. with wind gust up to 125 miles per hour

Photo by NASA via Getty Images

Hurricane Irene

OCEAN CITY, MD - AUGUST 26: An Ocean City lifeguard walks down the boardwalk in preparation for Hurricane Irene on August 26, 2011 in Ocean City, Maryland. Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan has ordered a mandatory evacuation for thousands of residents and visitors to leave the ocean front community and Maryland's Governor O'Malley has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Irene moves up the …

Hurricane Irene

OCEAN CITY, MD - AUGUST 26: People fill up bags with sand,in preparation for Hurricane Irene August 26, 2011 in Ocean City, Maryland. Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan has ordered a mandatory evacuation for thousands of residents and visitors to leave the ocean front community and Maryland's Governor O'Malley has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Irene moves up the eastern seaboard. (Photo by…

Hurricane Irene

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 26: People shop at a grocery store in Coney Island before the arrival of Hurricane Irene, which is expected to make landfall in New York City sometime late tomorrow or early the next day, on August 26, 2011 in New York City. Coney Island Hospital, which is just two feet above sea level, will be closing and is in the process of evacuating 240 patients, 24 of whom are in …

Hurricane Irene

OCEAN CITY, MD - AUGUST 26: Vehicles drive under a sign that reads 'Sacramento Ca. 3073' as they depart Ocean City, on August 26, 2011 in Ocean City, Maryland. Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan has ordered a mandatory evacuation for thousands of residents and visitors to leave the oceanfront community, and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Irene approaches. …

Hurricane Irene

OCEAN CITY, MD - AUGUST 26: A man rides a bicycle past a boarded up store, on August 26, 2011 in Ocean City, Maryland. Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan has ordered a mandatory evacuation for thousands of residents and visitors to leave the oceanfront community, and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Irene approaches. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Preparing for Hurricane Irene

OCEAN CITY, MD - AUGUST 26: Dave Leverton (L) and Phillip Entwistle fill up bags with sand in preparation for Hurricane Irene on August 26, 2011 in Ocean City, Maryland. Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan has ordered a mandatory evacuation for thousands of residents and visitors to leave the ocean front community and Maryland's Governor O'Malley has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Irene …

Hurricane Irene

OCEAN CITY, MD - AUGUST 26: A worker boards up a 'Ripleys Believe it or not!' located on the boardwalk August 26, 2011 in Ocean City, Maryland. Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan has ordered a mandatory evacuation for thousands of residents and visitors to leave the ocean front community and Maryland's Governor O'Malley has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Irene moves up the eastern seaboard.…

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene

CAPE MAY, NJ - AUGUST 26: A sign saying 'Go Away Irene!' is spray painted on a baorded up storefront in preparation for Hurricane Irene August 26, 2011 in Cape May, New Jersey. The Cape May Department of Emergency Management ordered the evacuation of all residents and visitors of Cape May County in anticipation of a direct hit by Hurricane Irene. (Photo by William Thomas Cain)

NAGS HEAD, NC - AUGUST 25: A highway sign warns visitors they need to evacuate Dare County in front of Hurricane Irene August 25, 2011 in Nags Head, North Carolina. Dare County, which includes the vaction towns of Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, has ordered a mandatory evacuation of an estimated 150,000 tourists effective this morning as Hurricane Irene strengthens and moves closer. …

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks during a press conference to address the 5.9-magnitude earthquake New Yorkers felt on August 23, 2011 in New York City. The epicenter of the 5.9 earthquake was located near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline. (Photo by Andrew …

BOYNTON BEACH, FL - AUGUST 25: Cory Ritz braces himself as a wave bursts onto a pier at the Boynton Beach inlet on August 25, 2011 in Boynton Beach, Florida. Hurricane Irene is moving over the Bahamas and could still be a major storm as it approaches the North Carolina coast the morning of August 27. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Residents leave as Hurricane Irene looms

NAGS HEAD, NC - AUGUST 25: Residents pack their belongings as they prepare to evacuate in front of Hurricane Irene August 25, 2011 in Nags Head, North Carolina. Dare County, which includes Nags Head, has ordered a mandatory evacuation of an estimated 150,000 tourists effective this morning as Hurricane Irene strengthens and moves closer. Residents of the town were given until Friday to evacuate. …

Boarding up home as Hurricane Irene looms

NAGS HEAD, NC - AUGUST 25: Andy Sullivan (L) and J.C. Baker help to board up a home along North Carolina's Outer Banks August 25, 2011 in Nags Head, North Carolina. Dare County, which includes Nags Head, has ordered a mandatory evacuation of an estimated 150,000 tourists effective this morning as Hurricane Irene strengthens and moves closer. Residents of the town were given until Friday to …

Hurricane Irene

CARIBBEAN SEA - AUGUST 25: In this handout GOES-13 satellite image provided by the NASA, Hurricane Irene churns on August 25, 2011 in the Caribbean Sea. Irene, now a Category 3 storm with winds of 115 miles per hour, is projected to become Category 4 storm as it moves toward the eastern seaboard of the U.S. (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)

Hurricane Irene

CARIBBEAN SEA - AUGUST 24: In this handout GOES satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), colorized infrared and visible images show Hurricane Irene's eye forming on August 24, 2011 in the Caribbean Sea. After weakening slightly overnight, Irene's strength has come back with winds currently measured at 115 mph. The last hurricane hunter reconnaissance…

Path of Hurricane Irene as of 8/24

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene

CARIBBEAN SEA - AUGUST 23: In this handout GOES satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hurricane Irene, with sustained winds of 100 mph, becomes a Category 2 hurricane August 23, 2011 in the Caribbean Sea. The storm is predicted to strengthen even more, possible into Category 3 in the next 36 hours. (Photo by NOAA via Getty Images)

Hurricane Irene