New York mayor urges citizens to evacuate

New York City's mayor has told residents who need to evacuate ahead of the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Irene that they should do so immediately.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, speaking at a news conference, said residents who have to leave the city should go straight away because transit systems will shut down at noon (4pm Irish time) today, bridges may close and the city does not have enough resources to evacuate everyone after the weather worsens.