Hurricane Irene hit the Bahamas as a Category 3 storm, affecting all inhabited islands to various degrees from 23rd to 26th August 2011. Hurricane force winds extended outwards up to 70 miles from the centre and tropical storm force winds extended outward up to 290 miles from the centre. The storm surge raised water levels as much as 7 to 11 feet above normal tide levels over the central and north-western Bahamas.