Obama Issues Preemptive Emergency Declaration For North Carolina, NYC Transit To Shut Down Saturday

The eye of hurricane Irene remains near the Bahamas, but already President Barack Obama has signed an emergency disaster declaration for North Carolina.

The North Carolina’s Outer Banks are expected to take the brunt of the storm at its strongest point on Saturday — with latest predictions placing the center of the storm passing over New York City as a Category 1 hurricane late Sunday.

The declaration authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist in evacuation and response as it deems necessary.

“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.”