The intensity and track of Irene

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Bradley+Beach&state=NJ&site=PHI&lat=40.2017&lon=-74.0121
Blogfinger to our North had this to say on their web blog.

8 pm  From the National Hurricane Center:
“Current forecasts call for Irene to potentially make landfall in New Jersey  sometime early Sunday, after impacting the North Carolina coast.
National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read said in a conference call that though plenty of uncertainty still exists with regard the intensity and track of Irene when it reaches New Jersey, the storm could approach the state as a low end category 2 hurricane, which pack winds from 96-110 miles per hour
From Rutgers climatologist:   ”If the current forecast track holds we may be talking about the most devastating storm to hit the state on record,” he said. “It’s a very serious situation. I don’t want to invoke panic but anyone who doesn’t treat this with the utmost respect could put themselves in danger.”
6:30 pm From Neptune Office of Emergency Management (OEM): A shelter will be set up at Wall High School by the Red Cross by 5 pm Friday.  People can see shelter there. If you need transportation to the shelter call OEM at 732 988 8000.  Visitors to Neptune are asked to leave by noon Saturday. Businesses and home owners are asked to “secure” their properties because “record flooding” is expected.  Interruptions of utility services are also anticipated.  The OEM suggests “monitoring” of TV and radio for further information.
5:30  pm  From the OG Camp Meeting Association:
“The State of New Jersey has declared a State of Emergency and voluntary evacuations by noon Friday from low lying, flood prone and waterfront areas.  As a result, weekend programs and activities scheduled to take place at Ocean Grove’s Great Auditorium have been cancelled. This includes the Frank Sinatra, Jr. event scheduled to take place on Saturday and the Sacred Masterworks concert scheduled to take place on Sunday.
The Frank Sinatra, Jr. event has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 14, 2012. Ticketholders may use their Sinatra tickets next season or request a refund after September 1st. For more information about ticket refunds and/or concert re-scheduling, visit www.oceangrove.org or call 732-775-0035.”
5 pm  Mayor of Asbury Park asks residents to evacuate inland by noon Saturday.  You can  read the AP mayor’s announcement here:     Asbury Park info
5 pm— from George Beecroft, Manager,  The Inn at Ocean Grove:
Dear Chamber Member-The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association has
just issued their formal announcement that all events are cancelled for the
weekend as of noon tomorrow.
There is also a mandatory evacuation of the tents and cottages by 6pm
tomorrow night.
Visitors who are not already here should be encouraged to stay away,
and those who are here should leave.
4:30 pm  From “Waterseller”:   Weekend festivities cancelled. Post card show and Sinatra Jr concert Sat eve.
3:56 PM  Governor declares a state of emergency.
Good source of information:  Asbury Park Press Website
9 am from Neptune Twp
At 8:00 am, Hurricane Irene was making her way through the northwest Bahamas with highest winds of 115 mph.  Irene has been going through an ERC (eye replacement cycle) which has prevented additional strengthening, but that process is nearly complete and the hurricane will likely gain strength today and tonight.
Forecast guidance has shifted the forecast track of Irene decidedly to the west.  The track spray of the models are now all very close to the NJ shore.  A couple have a landfall in Ocean City, MD and then northward along the Delaware River, a few more are right over the Jersey Shore and a few others are just offshore.