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Some U.S. residents were forced to evacuate their homes Thursday and the military moved more than two dozen ships out to sea ahead of Hurricane Irene, a huge storm that could prove to be the biggest to strike the United States in six years.

The Category 3 storm was “pounding the northwestern Bahamas,” the National Hurricane Center said. It was centered 65 miles east-northeast of Nassau, and about 670 miles south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Maximum sustained winds were at 115 mph as the storm worked its way northwest.

“I didn’t really want to take my chances,” said Janeen Wall, who had left her vacation spot in Carolina Beach, North Carolina to make it back to Richmond, Virginia. “Also, if I waited for an evacuation order, I would have to share the road with more than a few thousand other folks trying to leave at the same time.”

A mandatory evacuation order was under way for residents and visitors in Hyde County, North Carolina, which includes Ocracoke island on the Outer Banks. Nearby Dare County, which includes Manteo, Nags Head, Duck and historic Kitty Hawk, had an evacuation order for tourists only.

The cone of uncertainty — the area that could be impacted by Irene depending what path it follows over the next several days — includes much of the U.S. northeast. Even if the hurricane does not make landfall, the heavy rains could trigger flooding in some areas.

“The biggest concern is getting people to pay attention and make sure they are ready,” Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate said in an interview with CNN. He called on Americans to make sure they have the necessary supplies and an evacuation plan ready.

The National Hurricane Center has said Irene could strengthen to Category 4 status.

The storm could weaken as it works its way up along the U.S. East Coast in the coming days. “As it gets closer to the northeast, it will run into the cooler Labrador Current, and that along with some more wind shear should allow Irene to lose some strength,” said HLN meteorologist Bob Van Dillen.

The U.S. Navy is sending 27 ships based in Norfolk, Virginia out to sea to ride out Hurricane Irene, a senior Navy official told CNN. An aircraft carrier is among them. Another 28 ships will seek more sheltered areas.

Military officials planned to make a decision Thursday about moving aircraft in the area as well.

Source: Caribbean News/Nation News Barbados