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Hurricane Irene heads up U.S. East Coast

By Regan McCarthy

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-983060.mp3

Tallahassee, FL – Hurricane Irene is on track to hit Florida by the end of the week. The hurricane season has been minimal so far, but Regan McCarthy September usually marks the peak of the season.

Most of Florida is in Irene's 5-day-forecast cone, meaning the entire state stands to be impacted by the storm. And Florida Department of Emergency Management spokesman William Booher says now is the time for people to be sure they're prepared.

"So we are just now entering into the heaviest part of hurricane season and this is the time of year when the water has really had a chance to warm up and those conditions become most favorable for storms to develop."

Booher says it only takes one major storm for the hurricane season to be severe. Forecasters expect Irene to pick up strength.