Wilmington, Delaware Orders Evacuation of Part of City

WILMINGTON, Del -- The mayor of Wilmington has ordered the evacuation of the southeastern part of the city and has declared a state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Irene.

Mayor James M. Baker signed the order Friday. It became effective at 2 p.m.

The order calls for the mandatory evacuation of 3,000 residents who live in a section of the city that is in a flood plan. Those residents are ordered to leave no later than 6 p.m. Saturday.

City government offices were closed at 3 p.m. Friday.

William Penn High School on Basin Road has been established as a Red Cross Shelter.

Middletown High School has also been established as a Red Cross shelter with accommodations for pets.