Highways leading out of coastal communities are jammed with people evacuating ahead of Hurricane Irene.
From Cape Fear to Elizabeth City, two-and-four lane roads are packed with vacationers, displaced residents, and motorists trailing boats. All are headed for higher ground.
Sergeant Jeff Gordon is with the State Highway Patrol.
Jeff Gordon: "Right now the evacuation is going very well. we do not have any problems. we have deployed a number of people in advance. we have a comprehensive plan in place and we have the staff that's necessary to affect that. so we're just not experiencing any problems at this time."
Many evacuees are ending up at hotels along I-95. The Red Cross is also opening up shelters in 12 counties starting this afternoon.