Full Notification

Thursday August 25, 2011 | 1:13 PM SOMERSET COUNTY DPW

HURRICANE STATEMENT

IRENE’S TRACK SHIFTING SLIGHTLY WESTWARD… THIS SHIFT WILL SERVE TO
ENHANCE THE HEAVY RAIN & WIND POTENTIALS ACROSS THE REGION. WHILE A PERIOD OF TROPICAL
STORM FORCE WIND GUSTS IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY LIKELY ON SUNDAY, SO TOO IS THE CHANCE
FOR 4-7” OR MORE OF RAIN. EVEN THOUGH THE IMPACTS FROM IRENE WILL BE GREATEST AT THE COAST,
HEAVY WIND-DRIVEN RAINS WILL LIKELY LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING, AND IN SOME SPOTS RIVER
FLOODING BY EARLY NEXT WEEK. THE FLOOD THREAT IS ONLY GOING TO BE AUGMENTED BY ANY RAIN
TODAY & TOMORROW.

Current Conditions & Expected Track

• Irene is currently a category 3 with 115 mph sustained winds and moving North-Northwest at 12 MPH.
• It is expected to shift more northerly tonight and Friday.
• The center of the storm will approach Great Abaco Isl. In the Bahamas this afternoon
• Projected track: Cape Hatteras, NC Saturday evening as a major hurricane, near the NJ Shore midday
Sunday as a weak hurricane and over interior New England Sunday Night.

Possible Effects for the Area

• Fresh water flooding with the potential for several (3-7”+) inches of rain
• Occasional wind gusts between 30 and 60 MPH, especially in eastern sections (even a few hours after storm
passes)
• Flashing flooding from repeated heavy downpours.
• Worst conditions expected Saturday Night through Sunday Evening

Irene Current
Conditions/Forecast Track
as of 11 AM 8/25/11