In the US, hurricane alerts have extended up the East Coast today, affecting some 65 million people, as Irene moved past the Bahamas and headed north towards North Carolina, where it is expected to hit tomorrow, reports the Daily Beast.

The National Hurricane Center issued warnings to Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and the coast of Massachusetts. Though winds at the center of the hurricane have died down slightly from 115 mph to 110 mph, making Irene a Category 2 storm, officials warned it could strengthen as it approached the coast.