Hurricane Irene has reached category three and forecasters fear it could become category four by today.
The core of the hurricane is heading towards the Bahamas with winds up to 115 mph and higher gusts.
It is expected to reach the east coast of the US by the end of the week and residents living in the Carolinas and through to New England have been warned to carefully watch its progress.
North Carolina and residents are stocking up on supplies and voluntary evacuations have already started on barrier islands.
Earlier this week, Irene struck the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Turks and Caicos Islands and south-eastern parts of the Bahamas leaving thousands without electricity and water supplies.
US President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency for Puerto Rico.
by Bev Fearis
