Miami (CNN) -- Officials in a popular stretch of coastal North Carolina ordered all visitors to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Irene, which damaged homes in the Bahamas Wednesday as it churned toward the U.S. East Coast. Irene, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, could jump to Category 4 strength by Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said. Federal emergency management officials had a simple message for those in or near the path: Be prepared. Dare County, North Carolina -- home to Manteo, Nags Head, Duck and Kitty Hawk -- was taking no chances. A mandatory evacuation for tourists was to take effect 8 a.m. ET Thursday. Residents could stay for now, but they were advised to ready themselves for Irene.
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Extensive damage reported on two Bahamas islands
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In North Carolina, Dare County orders evacuation of visitors
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Storm forces changes in cruise ship itineraries, including the Carnival Sensation
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Hurricane Irene maintains strength, could be Category 4 storm on Thursday
"On the forecast track, the core of Irene will move across the southeastern and central Bahamas through tonight and over the northwestern @placeholder on Thursday," the Hurricane Center said.