Hurricane Irene Heads Toward the East Coast

After bombarding the Caribbean with heavy winds and rain, and even causing Sir Richard Branson’s famed Necker Island mansion to burn to the ground, Hurricane Irene is headed for the southeastern shore of the U.S. The storm is expected to make landfall on Saturday as a category 3 storm near Wilmington, N.C., with residual effects reaching New England. Anyone sailing near this area should stay tuned to the National Hurricane Center and should keep in mind the Mariner’s 1-2-3 rule. For all the latest information, go to www.nhc.noaa.gov.