Bahamas Braces For Hurricane Irene

Take her seriously! Hurricane Irene, the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, is steaming towards the Bahamas and the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Irene's a potentially very dangerous hurricane. If Irene continues on her current path, Inagua, the most southern island in the Bahamas, and Mayaguana should feel her force today. Bahamas home owners are urged to secure their property. Irene is expected to strengthen into a category 2 hurricane when she passes the Bahamas islands of Crooked Island and Acklins, Accuweather spokesman Dave Samuhel told The Tribune of Nassau Bahamas. Samuhel predicted Irene may strengthen to a Cat 3 hurricane if and when she hits Nassau in New Providence. We're taking this one seriously. Residents are scrambling for supplies and already, the stores are running low on bottled water. The northwest Bahamas, including Abaco, is on a hurricane watch, and residents should be taking the necessary precautions to secure their property and homes. Our real estate offices in Abaco, Exuma and Long Island have been secured and our Nassau real estate head office is hurricane ready. However, we remain open for business. Click here for a Hurricane Preparation List.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people in Puerto Rico and the other islands who have suffered Irene's wrath. We wish our affiliates in Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic, all the best. Our hearts especially go out to the homeless in Haiti.