Come on Irene

This, on the busy weekend before Labor Day weekend:

- It now appears Irene may hug the coastline potentially making a landfall in southern New Jersey Sunday afternoon with the center coming very close to or over New York City Sunday evening.

- This track means more people could have catastrophic impacts from Irene in the Northeast beginning Saturday night in southern Virginia and lasting into Monday in Northern New England.

- Even though Irene should weaken some it will still bring hurricane force winds, extreme rainfall, significant coastal flooding, and a tornado threat.

- Irene should be hitting the Northeast near the new moon when tides will be higher before adding Irene's surge and wave action.

- Heavy rain could track as far west as western Virginia, western Maryland, central Pennsylvania and central and western New York.

- Widespread wind damage and power outages are likely throughout the Northeast.

- Plan ahead ... Make sure that you have plenty of water, non-perishable food, flashlights and a transistor radio.

Good luck, me droogies, friends and family.