Irene will have impact on US economy, says expert | Irish Sun

Irene will have impact on US economy, says expert

Irish Sun Friday 26th August, 2011

• Every state along eastern coast will be impacted by Hurricane Irene, evacuations underway

• Some 65 million people will be affected, experts say damage could run into billions

• Predicted path could see New York take a direct hit from Irene

Hurricane Irene has been called by one US expert a “nightmare scenario” as the storm system, the size of Katrina, heads for the East Coast where billions of dollars in damage is expected.

Coastal communities are being evacuated, federal help is being mobilised, the Navy has ordered ships out to sea to ride out the storm in open water and state governors have declared emergencies to free up funds for disaster management.

If Irene has not weakened by Saturday, when it is expected to hit the US, it will be the most powerful hurricane to strike the East Coast in seven years, prompting officials to issue evacuation orders up and down the eastern seaboard.

Forecasters have warned that Irene may gather strength Friday over open water, while the projected path of the storm has the eye travelling right over New York City. Every major city on the I-95 corridor in the US is expected to be impacted.

Max Mayfield, the retired director of the National Hurricane Centre, told the Associated Press that if the storm goes right up the east coast it will be a “nightmare scenario” as around 65 million people will be directly affected and the economic cost would be severe.

“This is going to have an impact on the United States economy,” he said Thursday.

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