North Carolina counties tell thousands to leave as Irene looms

By MITCH WEISS and MARTHA WAGGONER

BUXTON, N.C. (AP) -- Thousands were fleeing an exposed strip of coastal villages and beaches off North Carolina on Thursday as Irene approached, threatening to become the most powerful hurricane to hit the East Coast in seven years.

Hours after a hurricane watch was issued for much of the state's coast, emergency officials expanded evacuation orders to include hundreds of thousands of tourists and locals in four coastal counties.

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