Hurricane Irene is currently a Category 2 storm and strengthening to a Category 3 is expected as Irene has the potential to acquire the strength of a major hurricane later today or Wednesday.
A hurricane warning remains is in effect for the entire Bahamas.
At 2 p.m. the center of Hurricane Irene was located near latitude 20.7 degrees north, and longitude 71.2 degrees west, about 144 miles east-southeast of Matthew Town, Inagua and about 488 miles southeast of Nassau.
Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph with higher gusts.
Irene is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph. This motion is expected to continue through tonight followed by a turn toward the northwest on Wednesday.
The forecast track sees the center of Irene moving over the Turks and Caicos Island this evening, near or over the southeastern and central Bahamas tonight and Wednesday and proceeding near or over the northwestern Bahamas on Thursday..
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 50 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 205 miles northeast of the center.
Storm surge and battering waves will spread into the Southeast Bahamas by tonight, forecasters said. Heavy downpour will result in widespread flooding of the low lying islands in warning areas.
The combination of the storm surge and the expected heavy rains of Hurricane Irene will create severe flooding in coastal low lying areas, said forecasters who are urging people living in those areas to seek higher ground.
All residents of The Bahamas (Long Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Cat Island, Exuma and its cays, Inagua, Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Ragged Island and Acklins, Bimini, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Berry Islands, Eleuthera, New Povidence and Andros)  should rush to complete preparations to protect their properties.
Forecasters urged all residents whose homes are not stable to contact their local administrators to locate suitable shelters closest to them.
Small craft operators should remain in port. 

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