Weather forecasters have included the coastal region up to Sandy Hook in the hurricane warning area for Hurricane Irene, the National Weather Service reported Friday morning.

Though Irene’s strength dropped slightly to Category 2, meaning sustained winds below 110 miles per hour, the storm could regain strength as it nears New Jersey, which it is expected to wallop Saturday and Sunday.

Now is the time to be making serious preparations to protect life and property, safety experts say.

From the NWS:

FOR THOSE UNDER A WATCH OR WARNING…NOW IS THE TIME TO INITIATE
PREPARATIONS ACCORDING TO YOUR HURRICANE DISASTER PLAN SPECIFIC TO
YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS…

IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACTIVELY LISTEN FOR FORTHCOMING INFORMATION
FROM YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE AND EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY.

MARINERS ARE URGED TO MAKE ALL NECESSARY PREPARATIONS TO RETURN
TO PORT…SEEK SAFE HARBOR…AND SECURE THEIR CRAFT.