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East Coast checks bridges, readies plans for Irene

By Associated Press
SHARE East Coast checks bridges, readies plans for Irene
Residents watch the water outside their home in the Moscu neighborhood of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic of an overflowed river after the passing of Hurricane Irene on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2010. Flooding, rising rivers and mudslides have prompted the Do

Residents watch the water outside their home in the Moscu neighborhood of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic of an overflowed river after the passing of Hurricane Irene on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2010. Flooding, rising rivers and mudslides have prompted the Dominican Republic government to evacuate nearly 38,000 people and more slides were likely in coming days because of days of intense rain from the storm system.

Roberto Guzman, Associated Press
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A lifeguard keeps watch under a beach hazard flag warning of rip currents Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, on Tybee Island, Ga., as Hurricane Irene heads toward South Florida. Forecasters are predicting that Irene will strike North Carolina's Outer Banks on Satu

A lifeguard keeps watch under a beach hazard flag warning of rip currents Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, on Tybee Island, Ga., as Hurricane Irene heads toward South Florida. Forecasters are predicting that Irene will strike North Carolina’s Outer Banks on Saturday.

Stephen Morton, Associated Press
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A sign is seen at a business in Avon, N.C., Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, on the Outer Banks. Hurricane Irene could hit anywhere from North Carolina to New York this weekend, leaving officials in the path of uncertainty to make a delicate decision.

A sign is seen at a business in Avon, N.C., Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, on the Outer Banks. Hurricane Irene could hit anywhere from North Carolina to New York this weekend, leaving officials in the path of uncertainty to make a delicate decision.

Alan Fram, Associated Press
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People play at the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Avon, N.C., Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. As Hurricane Irene strengthened to a major Category 3 storm over the Bahamas Wednesday, it continues to threaten much of the east coast as it is expected

People play at the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Avon, N.C., Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. As Hurricane Irene strengthened to a major Category 3 storm over the Bahamas Wednesday, it continues to threaten much of the east coast as it is expected to get stronger over warm ocean waters and could become a Category 4 storm with winds of at least 131 mph (211 kph) by Thursday.

Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press
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Beachgoers sunbathe at Cape Hatteras. N.C. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. Evacuations of tourists began on Ocracoke Island off North Carolina as Hurricane Irene strengthened to a major Category 3 storm over the Bahamas on Wednesday with the East Coast in

Beachgoers sunbathe at Cape Hatteras. N.C. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. Evacuations of tourists began on Ocracoke Island off North Carolina as Hurricane Irene strengthened to a major Category 3 storm over the Bahamas on Wednesday with the East Coast in its sights.

Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press
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A surfer rides a wave, before the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Irene, at a beach on the Outer Banks of N.C., on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. Mandatory evacuations for residents and visitors were expected to be announced for the following day.

A surfer rides a wave, before the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Irene, at a beach on the Outer Banks of N.C., on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. Mandatory evacuations for residents and visitors were expected to be announced for the following day.

The Free Lance-Star, Reza A. Marvashti, Associated Press
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Residents watch the water outside their home in the Moscu neighborhood of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic of an overflowed river after the passing of Hurricane Irene on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2010. Flooding, rising rivers and mudslides have prompted the Do
A lifeguard keeps watch under a beach hazard flag warning of rip currents Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, on Tybee Island, Ga., as Hurricane Irene heads toward South Florida. Forecasters are predicting that Irene will strike North Carolina's Outer Banks on Satu
A sign is seen at a business in Avon, N.C., Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, on the Outer Banks. Hurricane Irene could hit anywhere from North Carolina to New York this weekend, leaving officials in the path of uncertainty to make a delicate decision.
People play at the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Avon, N.C., Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. As Hurricane Irene strengthened to a major Category 3 storm over the Bahamas Wednesday, it continues to threaten much of the east coast as it is expected
Beachgoers sunbathe at Cape Hatteras. N.C. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. Evacuations of tourists began on Ocracoke Island off North Carolina as Hurricane Irene strengthened to a major Category 3 storm over the Bahamas on Wednesday with the East Coast in
A surfer rides a wave, before the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Irene, at a beach on the Outer Banks of N.C., on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. Mandatory evacuations for residents and visitors were expected to be announced for the following day.

BUXTON, N.C. — From North Carolina islands connected to the mainland by just a handful of bridges to the waterlogged shores of New England, officials are calculating what they need to do if Irene becomes the first major hurricane to strike the East Coast in seven years.

They're scrambling to inspect bridges, dusting off evacuation plans and getting sandbags ready for potential floods. And considering where and when to move people out of harm's way.

Irene could hit North Carolina's Outer Banks on Saturday afternoon with winds around 115 mph (185 kph). It's predicted to chug up the East Coast, dumping rain from Virginia to New York City before a much-weakened form reaches land in Connecticut. Finally, it should peter out in Maine by Monday afternoon.