New York City, New York

Onlookers get a close look from the aftermath of Hurricane Irene of a fallen tree from on East 43rd 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