I hope that I have answered some of your questions. I can't possibly answer all of them because we really don't know what Irene is or is not capable of.

The wind field is huge. Not as big as Katrina, but huge.

Due to the parallel to the Coast track. Some of you along the Atlantic Seaboard will experience winds greater than Tropical Storm force for 18 to 24 hours or more. In addition to Hurricane force winds above 75 mph for a shorter period of time.

The BEST SITE that I have found so far is the NWS FORECAST site.
Put your Zip Code or City, State in the box in the upper left hand corner and GO.

http://www.weather.gov/

NWS Forecasts update every 3 to 6 hours.