The declaration mandates the coordination of disaster relief efforts among federal agencies, including the Homeland Security Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which will provide federal emergency aid to the New York state.

The federal agencies will specifically help the counties of Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Nassau and Suffolk to carry out future relief efforts in the wake of the hurricane.

Irene, estimated to threaten over 65 million residents living along the East Coast, is expected to hit the New York City and Long Island on Sunday. Authorities have warned that the "historic" hurricane could bring massive flooding, power outages and property damages on its path.

Earlier Friday, the New York City issued a hurricane warning, the first since 1985, ordering about 300,000 residents along the coastal area to evacuate ahead of Irene's arrival.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-08/27/c_131077830.htm