Don't Plan Weekend Trip to the Shore, NJ Governor Warns

Local, County and State Governments are now actively warning people in Pennsylvania to be prepared for the effects of Hurricane Irene.

Tredyffrin Township has posted a link to the Chester County Department of Emergency Services website that includes information on packing a "bug-out bag" in case you have to evacuate quickly.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has signed a state of emergency declaration in advance of the storm and told people currently visiting the Jersey Shore to start leaving now. The Governor said if you have a rental that starts on the Jersey Shore this weekend, do not go. New Jersey may order evacuations and close off access to barrier islands before Irene arrives.

Hurricane Irene is moving over the Bahamas and hurricane and tropical storm watches have been issued for part of the East Coast.

Irene still threatens heavy rain and gusty winds for the Philadelphia area this weekend.

The latest forecast track from the National Hurricane Center projects Irene will pass well offshore of the east coast of central and north Florida Thursday night and early Friday. Irene, which is still a Category 3 hurricane, is expected to make landfall in coastal North Carolina on Saturday afternoon.

Coastal North Carolina is now under a hurricane watch, which means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. That hurricane watch extends from Surf City north to the Virginia border.

Coastal South Carolina and part of coastal North Carolina are under a tropical storm watch, which means tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours. That tropical storm watch extends from Edisto Beach, SC, to Surf City, NC.

The National Weather Service says that the current storm watches will probably evolve into warnings later today.A watch means that the weather condition is expected, but not imminent; while a warning means that the weather condition is imminent or occurring.