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Michigan Transplants Anticipate Strong Southern Storms

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WWJ/AP) - The U.S. could be hit by a hurricane this weekend for the first time since 2008. Forecasters say Hurricane Irene could make landfall along the North Carolina coast on Saturday, then move north into the Chesapeake Bay area on Sunday, still as a hurricane.

John Palazzolo moved to Charlotte from the Warren area and says the thought of 100 mph winds makes he and his friends a little nervous.

"We do have a lot of transplants from the Michigan area that live down here with us. And, the winter time, we all kind of laugh at the weather and we think, gee, we've driven in the snow," Palazzolo told WWJ Newsradio 950. "But when you see something like a big storm like Irene coming, now we really stand up and take notice."

Palazzolo said he's a bit worried about losing power.

"Growing up in Detroit we've got city sewer, but I've got a septic system and a well at my home. If I lose power, I'm without, not just power, but I'm also without plumbing, and I'm not exactly looking forward to that," Palazzolo said,

He said the locals seem to be taking the hurricane in stride.

"We shouldn't make light of it, but it is kind of fun because it literally gets to the point where we have advertising ... we'll hear on the radio down here, they'll even start making a joke about that -- come in and get your milk, your bread, your eggs, and you'll be fine for the next week."

Those with Caribbean vacation plans should also take note: Hurricane Irene is forecasted to pass over or near the Turks and Caicos Islands
and the southeastern Bahamas
by Tuesday night and be near the central Bahamas early Wednesday.

Get more on Hurricane Irene at our sister site, CBSMiami.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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