Hurricane Irene: Katrina Anniv. During Storm's...

Hurricane Irene aims at the US East Coast near Hurricane Katrina's sixth anniversary. The powerful cyclone could become a category-4 before landfall near the Carolinas according to the Saffir-Simpson wind scale.

It's only the first major hurricane this season; but recall that on August 29, 2005, Katrina swelled into a powerful storm in the Gulf of Mexico and tore through New OrlÃ©ans and Mississippi when it made landfall.

What Hurricane Irene shares with that monstrous storm is its relative size and date, in which this storm is predicted to make landfall in the United States.

After ravishing parts of Puerto Rico, the intensifying storm is taking an aim at the Bahamas on Wednesday.

And by Friday, The Weather Channel has it growing into a category-4 as it picks up warm waters from the Atlantic.

And on Friday, computer models place Hurricane Irene at or near the Carolinas along the coast, only days ahead of Hurricane Katrina's sixth anniversary.

Forecasters warn Floridians not to let their guards down yet, as the storm's path could change if the storm becomes stationary or gains speed.

According to a Forbes report, National Hurricane Center meteorologist Wallace Hogsett said, "In terms of where it's going to go, there is still a pretty high level of uncertainty. It's a very difficult forecast in terms of when it's going to turn northward."

In the meantime, residents and travelers in Florida and along the Georgia and Carolina coasts are advised to make preparations for Hurricane Irene. Hopefully, another Katrina does not rear its ugly face.