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The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is making preparations in advance of the anticipated landfall of Hurricane Irene this weekend.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency across New York as hundreds of thousands of Americans were on Thursday night told to evacuate their homes in anticipation of the hurricane. The declaration allows Cumo to give state resources to areas preparing for the hurricane's impact.

"I urge New Yorkers to personally prepare for hurricane conditions and to cooperate with emergency officials if needed," said Mr Cuomo. "By working together, we will all be able to face this storm in a calm and organised manner."

In a statement, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said: "In addition to closely monitoring changing conditions and conducting regular briefings internally, the agency is coordinating with the States of New York and New Jersey, external stakeholders and the Federal Aviation Administration, which controls air traffic. Port Authority staff also has taken numerous advance steps at its facilities.

"Staff in the Port Commerce Department has advised its tenants to take necessary precautions, which includes placing sandbags at the base of cargo doors to minimize water intrusion, securing and covering cargo stored outdoors if it cannot be transferred to sheltered areas, and securing cranes, barges, warehouse doors and yard equipment," added the port authority.