NYC streets quiet ahead of approaching Irene

NEW YORK (AP) — The bridges, streets and subways of New York were nearly empty Saturday morning ahead of a nearly unprecedented mass transit shutdown as New Yorkers heeded warnings about approaching Hurricane Irene.

As rain started falling on him at Coney Island, Mayor Michael Bloomberg urged residents who needed to leave to get out — right away.

The city does not have enough resources to evacuate the majority of the 370,000 affected residents after the weather worsens, he said.

"Staying behind is dangerous, staying behind is foolish, and it's against the law, and we urge everyone in the evacuation zones not to wait until gale-force winds," he said at a news conference from Coney Island.

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