Irene is forecast to be a stronger storm than Bertha, a Category 3 hurricane strength for only a brief period of time to the east of the southern Bahamas. Irene is forecast to strengthen as it continues blasting through the Bahamas, attaining Category 4 strength and remaining a major hurricane as it barrels toward the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Hurricane Bob in 1991 Bob was the last hurricane to make landfall in New England. It tracked very close to the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a strong Category 2 hurricane, though the eye did not move onshore. From there, Bob briefly strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane, then weakened to a Category 2 storm before making landfall twice in Rhode Island, first on Block and second in Newport. Bob also made another landfall as a strong tropical storm in Maine.

Widespread flooding and damage has been reported across the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Irene, which battered the islands with winds estimated above 100 mph.

Check out this table of expected wind gusts and rainfall for various cities along the eastern seabord.

Although the situation is threatening to those affected areas, Accuform Signs remains fully-operational and unaffected. Being a Florida-based company, we are very familiar with hurricanes and other types of extreme weather, but today our thoughts are with our friends north of us, and we stand ready to assist in any way possible. Check Accuweather.com for updates right here on the Accuform website.