Irene Headed Towards East Coast

Downgraded to a Category 1 storm Tuesday afternoon, Hurricane Irene is expected to pick up speed and strength today as it turns toward the East Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Irene lumbered into the Bahamas at 9 mph Tuesday night and is expected to clear the islands tonight before taking a turn toward the north, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters warn that Irene could grow into a major hurricane tonight or Wednesday.

The storm's projected path was adjusted steadily to the east throughout the day Tuesday.

On Tuesday night, the National Hurricane Center reported that tropical-storm-force winds extended up to 205 miles from the center of the storm.

Irene is also packing a storm surge of up to 11 feet, a figure that is expected to grow by the time the storm makes landfall in the United States on Saturday.

Current forecast models from the National Hurricane Center suggest it may run aground in the Carolinas.

Some predicted tracks of Irene place the storm in or near Chesapeake Bay on Sunday.

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