Up and down the East Coast people are packing up, and getting out of Irene's way.

The monster hurricane is expected to roar ashore in North Carolina with 115 mile per hour winds, before marching north.

It's on track to hit major cities like Washington, D.C, New York City and Boston. At least seven states, including North Carolina, have already declared states of emergency.

"Regardless of what happens the best thing we in North Carolina can do is to be prepared and to take this very very seriously," said North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue

On the Outer Banks homes and businesses are boarded up. People in this area know what kind of damage a mighty hurricane like Irene could inflict. That's why many are obeying evacuation orders particularly tourists.

But for Carlton Smith Jr. his farm is his home and livelihood.

He is rushing to harvest his corn crop before the hurricane blows it and thousands of dollars in profit away.

For those who had considered riding out this storm with a hurricane party, they are out of luck. Alcohol sales have been suspended at all state owned liquor stores.