Hurricane Irene takes boy’s life

Even at a category 1 hurricane, Hurricane Irene shows us that she's powerful enough to take a young boy's life. Screen shot via MSNBC.

An 11 year old boy is dead today following the deadly aftermath in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Irene’s high winds caused a tree to land on an apartment building and kill a young boy who lived there with his mother. The apartment building located in Newport News, VA sustained severe collateral damage as a result of the powerful storm. Witnesses told MSNBC that the boy’s mother was  frantically trying to find him as she escaped from the imploded roof. Witnesses say that the mother ran out to the street, hysterical, crying, “Where’s my baby?” while searching for her son.

Four other people have been confirmed dead and one is still missing as the storm continues to make its way though the upper east coast, leaving behind downed power lines, uprooted trees, torn roofs and demolished gas stations.

As Hurricane Irene continues its path along the eastern seaboard, it brings with it reported sustained winds of around 85 mph. Local, as well as national authorities and politicians are urging residents to leave their homes and head for safety if they’re within an unsafe distance of the storm’s path.