The U.S. National Hurricane Center has predicted that Hurricane Irene, currently a Category 2 hurricane and gaining strength in the tropical waters of the Caribbean, could reach the South Carolina shore Friday night into Saturday. Irene could reach Category 3 status by Wednesday with wind speeds of up to 100 mph before it reaches landfall. Local authorities in North Carolina’s Ocracoke Island have issued mandatory evacuation orders for visitors to leave beginning at 5 a.m. Wednesday. A mandatory evacuation order for all non-emergency personnel will go into

effect Thursday morning.

Although predicting hurricanes is not an exact science, the current projected path classifies Irene as downgrading to a Category 1 Hurricane with maximum wind speeds of up to 75 mph when it is expected to reach the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay early Sunday morning. Weather Underground 5-day forecast maps predict hurricane-strength winds expected to reach inland throughout our local area.

The Town of Colonial Beach has issued a press release advising residents with special needs to communicate those needs to the town.

“We will use the Alert Now system to reach residents, as well as signage at hub-center type businesses in town, such as 7-11,” Town Manager Val Foulds said.

Foulds also noted there will be a “dress rehearsal” on Thursday with all town departments in attendance, to ensure the current town disaster plan is in effect and operational.

To sign up for either text or email alerts from the town, go to www.colonialbeachva.net. Click on Residents Information, and then click on Forms & Applications. There is a form titled “Citizen Alert Message Form” that can be filled in and emailed to the town for inclusion on the alert list.

According to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center’s website, creating a family plan is first and foremost to prepare for the devastation that can occur during hurricanes. Recommendations can be found on the NOAA’s website, and include the following information.

Know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.

Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.

Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.

Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.

Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

Check your insurance coverage — flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.

Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.

Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every six months, as you do with your smoke detectors.

Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.