US | Hurricane Irene Maryland, Va. Declare States of Emergency As Irene approaches, New York City warns transit may close By Matt Cantor Posted Aug 25, 2011 4:46 PM CDT Copied Todd Ketch of Woodbridge, Va., packs up his family's belongings as they prepare to evacuate in Nags Head, N.C., Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) See 2 more photos The governors of Maryland and Virginia have declared states of emergency as the East Coast readies for Hurricane Irene. Maryland’s governor has ordered an evacuation of Ocean City and encouraged others in low-lying coastal areas to depart and “stay with someone who loves them” this weekend, the Washington Post notes. Meanwhile, New York City officials are warning that mass transit may be shut down across the city if winds and rain require it, the New York Post reports. Amtrak is canceling some trains south of Washington, too. Read These Next North Carolina shooting suspect once walked the red carpet. The gunman who killed 4 at a Michigan church was an ex-marine. 'We heard a big bang,' says churchgoer in Michigan Skydivers leap from plane 2 minutes before fatal crash. See 2 more photos Report an error