"U.S. East Coast Braces as Irene Strengthens"

"Hurricane Irene thrashed the Bahamas early Thursday, with widespread damage reported on at least two southern islands.

It was a powerful Category 3 hurricane with winds at 115 miles an hour. Forecasters said the winds will ramp up quickly over the next day and Irene was expected to become a Category 4 storm with winds at least 131 mph.

But forecasters said it was still unclear whether the major hurricane would score a direct hit on the U.S.—including possible landfall Saturday in North Carolina—or stay offshore as it races up the coast, lashing several states with dangerous surf, powerful winds and heavy rain.

Irene could hit North Carolina's Outer Banks on Saturday afternoon. But pinpointing Irene's exact path over the next several days is difficult, particularly because the storm is on course to hug the U.S. coastline, forecasters said. Variables such as wind shear, clashing air-pressure systems and warm-water pockets could push the storm farther east or west, potentially spelling the difference between light wind and rain or major destruction along a coastline."

Arian Campo-Flores, Valerie Bauerlein and Mike Esterl report for the Wall St. Journal August 24, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Navy Orders Ships To Move Out of Irene's Path" (AP)

"Hurricane Irene Barrels Toward US as Caribbean Islands Take Stock of Damage" (Christian Science Monitor)

"Hurricane Irene Could Become Category 4 by Thursday" (Voice of America)

"Hurricane Irene Has Makings of an Historic Storm" (CBS News)

"Hurricane Irene Could Strengthen, U.S. Forecasters Warn" (AP)

"'Dangerous' Hurricane Irene Becomes 'Big Threat' to US As Evacuations Begin" (London Telegraph)

"Irene Threat to East Coast Spurs Evacuations as Emergency Crews Stand By" (Bloomberg)

"Intensifying Irene Has N.C. and Northeast in Cross Hairs" (USA TODAY)

"No Matter Irene's Path, North Carolina Leads Response" (McClatchy)