Hurricane Irene hits Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Rodanthe, North Carolina August 27, 2011. Hurricane Irene howled ashore in North Carolina with heavy winds, rain and surf on Saturday on a path threatening the densely populated US East Coast with flooding and power outages. [Photo/Agencies]

Rhiannon Shaw, 9, tries to stay warm while checking out the beach with friends as Hurricane Irene passes through Wrightsville Beach, N.C. August 27, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]