Cars clog the roadway to the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel as Hurricane Irene approaches, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, in Norfolk, Va. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center Thursday afternoon also issued the first warnings for the entire North Carolina coast to the Virginia border. One is also out for the coast of South Carolina from Edisto Beach north. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

President Barack Obama is urging East Coast residents in the projected path of Hurricane Irene to take seriously calls to evacuate flood zones and prepare for the likelihood of a “historic hurricane.”

Obama issued the statement from Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, where he has been vacationing. The region is facing the same threat of serious storm damage as Long Island.

“We all hope for the best, but we have to be prepared for the worst,” he said. “All of us have to take this storm seriously. You need to listen to your state and local officials, and if you are given an evacuation order, please follow it.”

FULL HURRICANE IRENE COVERAGE: LIVE RADAR, SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES AND HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE

He issued the statement shortly before Suffolk County officials upgraded a voluntary evacuation request of Fire Island to a mandatory evacuation, starting at 3 p.m. Friday.

Ferry service to the barrier beach allow only homeowners over to Fire Island in order for them to secure their homes and properties through 3-4 p.m. Saturday, although that time frame could become shorter.

Mainland evacuations of low-lying, flood prone areas on Long Island’s south shore – as well as some on the north shore – are likely to commence Saturday morning, Suffolk officials said.

The statement also came as Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano issued a voluntary evacuation for the barrier island of Long Beach, with the likelihood of a mandatory evacuation to follow.

New York’s Emergency Management Office is asking residents in the path of the coming storm to secure their lawn furniture and hanging plants, warning they will become projectiles in the hurricane-force winds heading this way.

Spokesman Dennis Michalski said many New Yorkers should lay in supplies and be prepared for 24 to 72 hours where they may not have outside help.

In Westhampton Beach, the 106th Rescue Wing of the Air National Guard is moving its six Blackhawks and four C-130 aircraft used for search-and-rescue missions out of the storm’s path Friday, planning to make them available in the aftermath.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has begun ordering some evacuations.

-With Associated Press.