At least five people have died — in a car accident, by heart attack and by falling trees — as a result of Hurricane Irene, the slow-moving but powerful swirl of wind and rain that barreled ashore in North Carolina.
As the storm moved steadily north on Saturday, heavily populated areas of Washington, D.C., and New York City braced for impact. Irene is expected to continue its northward path through New England, before weakening early Sunday morning.
Full story: Irene death toll hits 5, with boy killed by tree in Virginia