
Handout satellite image made and released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on 27 August 2011 at 11:45 GMT of Hurricane Irene over the east coast of North Carolina as it made landfall. EPA/NOAA

Handout satellite image made and released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on 27 August 2011 at 20:45 GMT of Hurricane Irene over the east coast of North Carolina and Virginia. The storm, which is the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, is currently a category 1 storm, is expected to stay at that strength as it impacts the NYC area before moving into New England and weakening. EPA/NOAA / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Handout satellite image made and released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on 27 August 2011 at 16:15 GMT of Hurricane Irene over the east coast of North Carolina and Virginia. The storm, which is the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, is currently a category 1 storm, is expected to stay at that strength as it impacts the NYC area before moving into New England and weakening. EPA/NOAA / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY