Residents from the Carolinas to New England make preparations for Hurricane Irene as the storm skirts well off of Florida’s east coast. Irene continues on a north-northwesterly track as it batters Abaco Island.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Irene is now about 575 miles south of Cape Hatteras, NC, moving north-northwest at about 14 miles per hour. However, forecasters predict a northerly turn by early Friday.

Irene remains a category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour and some strengthening is possible later today and tonight.

The storm should pass well offshore of North Florida’s east coast tonight and early Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The hurricane is expected to approach the coast of North Carolina on Saturday.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for Edisto Beach, SC northward to Little River Inlet, NC and a hurricane warning is in effect from Little River Inlet to the Virginia border. A hurricane watch is also in effect from the Virginia border to Sandy Hook, NJ.