Rain and dark clouds PASS over the Empir [Getty Images]

Rain and dark clouds PASS over the Empire State Buidling in New York ON August 25 ,2011. New York City is bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Irene. Forecasters are expect it to move up the east coast, where it could hit New York City by late Saturday or Sunday. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP TIMOTHY A. CLARY