Irene Aims Wrath at Region

Hurricane Irene was still touring the Bahamas Thursday, but the storm is expected to take a trip up the east coast and to New England by Sunday.

The storm, which has been upgraded to a Category 3, pounded the Bahamas with wind gusts of 125 miles per hour Thursday, is on track to hit the Carolinas and move up the east coast this weekend.

Irene is an especially large hurricane, spanning more than a 250 mile radius. This has the potential to cause flooding and strong winds in Massachsuetts Sunday into Monday even if the actual storm center doesn't reach the Bay State.

Plan Ahead

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency recommends stocking up on emergency suplies in advance of the storm.

“Every home and business should have a stocked basic emergency supply kit that could be used for any emergency, regardless of the time of year,” MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz said in a statement. “Everyone should keep certain items around the house and workplace in the event you are isolated for three to five days without power.”

An emergency kit should include at least the following items:

• Portable radio
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Non-perishable foods
• Bottled water
• First aid kit
• Extra prescription medication.

Schwartz adds that families should have a "Family Emergency Communication Plan" in place to make sure everyone is safe at all times as well as a bag of necessary items ready to go in case there is a need to evacuate quickly. Families should also learn their communities' evacuation routes and shelter locations.