USA HURRICANE IRENE AFTERMATRH NEW YORKOnlookers get a close look from the aftermath of Hurricane Irene of a fallen tree branches on East 43 rd Street in Tudor City Historic Place in New York City , New York , USA , 28 August 2011 . Steadily losing force and velocity , Irene was downgraded Sunday by the National Hurricane Center from hurricane status to a tropical storm - but still remained dangerous . The centre ‘ s director , Bill Read , told CNN that the effects had not changed - winds continued to be strong , the rain was still falling and the storm was continuing to push water levels up along the coastline . The downgrading of Irene ‘ s status - as wind speeds dropped to 120 kilometres per hour or less - came as the front began to reach New York City , with the National Hurricane Center putting the exact time of arrival as 9 am ( 1300 GMT ) . EPA / JOHN G . MABANGLO < 모바일 애플리케이션 > < 포토 매거진 >< 저작권자 ( c ) 연합뉴스 . 무단 전재 - 재배 포금 지 . >