North carolina: Hurricane Irene struck North Carolina with strong winds and high waves that flooded part of the main highway and submerged beachfront homes.

According to Qatar News Agency, meteorologists reported that the storm is expected to peak later Thursday and will strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane.

Irene’s outer winds, sweeping across the Outer Banks, caused water to surge onto the main road linking the barrier islands, as well as into several homes. Officials in North Carolina warned that a combination of powerful winds and waves estimated at about 20 feet could trigger coastal flooding.

Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina had declared a state of emergency last Tuesday, as Irene is expected to bring coastal flooding, beach erosion, and dangerous conditions for surfers. Evacuation orders were also issued for the small islands of Ocracoke and Hatteras.

The US National Hurricane Center and meteorologists forecast that this year’s hurricane season, lasting from early June to late November, will be more intense than usual due to warmer sea temperatures caused by global warming, which increases the likelihood of storms intensifying rapidly and producing stronger, more extreme weather events. In 2024, the southeastern United States was battered by several severe storms, including Hurricane Helen, which claimed more than 200 lives.