As Hurricane Irene barrels north towards the Florida coast, it is looking more and more likely the storm will make a big splash on the East Coast this weekend.

In a conference call with reporters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency stressed, “hurricanes are not only a southern thing,” saying this storm could affect coastal states all the way up to New England.

The National Weather Service has classified the storm as a Category 2 hurricane, with current winds near 100 miles per hour.  Now moving through the Caribbean, Irene’s power is expected to increase over the next 48 hours, and could build to Category 3.

Accuweather.com reports the following:

Hurricane Irene is forecast from the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center to strike eastern North Carolina after rolling across the Bahamas.

Next, an accelerating Irene will flirt with the Delmarva and New Jersey and then on to eastern Long Island and southeastern New England.

This coast-hugging path will spare some areas with the worst effects. However, areas near and east of the center of Irene will have dangerous and damaging conditions related to coastal flooding, rough surf and high winds.

A period of heavy, flooding rain is possible anywhere northeast of Georgia, despite an expected fast-moving nature of Irene. The flooding may be intensified in areas that have received torrential rainfall recently this month, such as coastal areas of the Northeast.

Irene could end up being a hybrid of hurricanes Bertha (1996) and Floyd (1999) in terms of track and impacts.

Here is what we expect in various cities along the Atlantic Seaboard:

Miami, Fla.

The eye wall of Irene will stay well to the east of Florida. However, there is the possibility of a couple of gusty thunderstorms on Thursday in Miami. In general, winds may briefly reach tropical storm force.

Charleston, S.C.

The eye wall of Irene will stay to the east. There will be a couple of periods of heavy rain and strong winds of tropical storm force Friday into Saturday. Winds can be briefly gust to hurricane force in a thunderstorm, resulting in minor, sporadic damage. Clearing is in store with breezy conditions for the second half of the weekend.

Wilmington, N.C.

The eye wall of Irene may pass very close by Friday on Saturday with the potential for storm surge flooding and widespread damaging winds. Conditions will deteriorate Friday night. Clearing with diminishing winds are likely during Sunday. People are urged to heed evacuation orders as they are issued.

Norfolk, Va.

The eye wall of Irene may pass nearby or to the southeast Saturday night. Even if Irene passes to the Southeast, onshore hurricane-force winds from the northeast can lead to extensive coastal flooding and damage. Conditions will deteriorate Saturday with the worst conditions Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Baltimore, Md.

The eye wall of Irene will pass well to the east. However, a period of flooding rain and locally strong winds that can cause some downed trees and power outages are possible during during Saturday night and Sunday.

Philadelphia, Pa.

The eye wall of Irene will pass well to the east. However, a period of flooding rain and locally strong winds that can cause some downed trees and power outages are possible during Saturday night and Sunday.

Atlantic City, N.J.

The eye wall of Irene will pass just offshore Sunday. Periods of heavy rain, damaging hurricane-force winds and coastal flooding are possible Saturday night and Sunday.

New York City

The eye wall of Irene will pass to the south and east of the city. However, there is an elevated risk of flooding rain. Coastal flooding will be a problem in areas prone to flooding during a strong nor’easter. Strong winds at tropical storm force are possible at times which can lead to downed trees, as well as power outages in outlying areas.

Providence, R.I.

The eye wall of Irene may pass close by later Sunday into Sunday night. Periods of flooding rain and damaging hurricane-force winds are possible. If the center passes to the southeast, coastal flooding will be minimal. If the center passes to the west, major coastal flooding problems may occur.

Boston, Mass.

The eye wall of Irene may pass close late Sunday and Sunday night. Periods of flooding rain, damaging hurricane-force winds and major coastal flooding are possible.

Portland, Maine

The eye wall of Irene is forecast to pass close by or just offshore to the south and east early Monday. However, periods of flooding rain, gusts of hurricane force and coastal flooding can occur.

Irene’s final, quick-hitting visit in North America will be in Atlantic Canada. The provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Quebec will be affected.

However, due to a potential shift in Irene’s track caused by another weather system later this weekend, these specific impacts are not clear at this time.

(Source: NBC Washington)