Authorities along the densely populated east coast of the United States have begun mandatory evacuations at popular beach resort areas in preparation for the arrival of the powerful Hurricane Irene. Irene strengthened and increased in size on Wednesday as it hit the southeastern and central Bahamas with winds as high as 193 kilometers per hour. The storm damaged homes and sent tourists scurrying, but no injuries have been reported. The National Hurricane Center says Irene could further strengthen to a Category Four storm on a five-point scale by today as it dangerously approaches the northwest Bahamas.Irene is the first hurricane to seriously threaten the United States in three years. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says that emergency personnel are preparing all along the coast.