Hurricane Irene Strengthens to Category 2; Bahamas Under Storm Warning

Good news: South Florida. NOAA keeps moving the "cone of possibility" away from the area (though we aren't safe yet). Bad news: Irene keeps gaining strength.Last night, the storm strengthened to 100 MPH winds, making it a Category 2 'cane. Irene is currently north of the Dominican Republic, with the...

By Jose D. Duran

August 23, 2011

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Good news: South Florida. NOAA keeps moving the "cone of possibility" away from the area (though we aren't safe yet). Bad news: Irene keeps gaining strength.

Last night, the storm strengthened to 100 MPH winds, making it a Category 2 'cane. Irene is currently north of the Dominican Republic, with the Turks and Caicos and parts of the Bahamas under hurricane warning. The islands of Nassau and Grand Bahama are under a watch advisory.

Forecasters are now saying the most likely area of the United States for a direct hit is the Carolinas, with the storm arriving late Saturday or early Sunday.

But don't think you're completely off the hook, South Florida. Thursday could still be a very wet and windy day even if the hurricane doesn't hit land. Some are already taking precautions like Thursday's Identity Festival in downtown Miami which was canceled yesterday.

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Jose D. Duran is associate editor of Miami New Times where he primarily oversees the arts and culture and music beats. Jose joined the New Times staff in June 2008 but has been covering Miami culture since 2005. His work has also appeared in publications likeVice, Billboard, and Spin. He’s earned numerous accolades including placing first for Weekly Newspaper Contest: Business Reporting from the Florida Press Association in 2020; placing third for the Writing: Light Feature from the Florida Press Club in 2019; and placing third in Weekly Newspaper Contest: Best Obituary from the Florida Press Association in 2015. Jose holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Florida.

Contact: Jose D. Duran

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Twitter: @jose_d_duran