"Before the storm’s outer bands of wind and rain began hitting the coast, mandatory evacuations were ordered all along the Eastern Seaboard, as far north as the New Jersey shore and parts of New York City. Roads and highways were filled with caravans of ousted vacationers and homeowners, many fleeing under still-sunlit skies in anticipation of torrential rains, dangerous tidal surges and the likelihood of days without power"(new york times).

this is showing that the hurricane is supposed to hit the east coast pretty hard. the hurricane is expected to hit with over 90 per hour winds. evacuations have already started.