As the eye of Hurricane Irene approached Hampton Roads late this afternoon, emergency officials had a warning for Western Tidewater residents: The passing of the storm won’t put the area out of harm’s way.

“While rain and wind may lessen, conditions will actually worsen over the next 6-8 hours,” said Isle of Wight County spokesman Don Robertson.

The eye of the storm was near Elizabeth City, N.C., at 4:45 p.m., moving toward Virginia Beach.