Thousands of city residents in low-lying areas have been asked to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Irene’s arrival, and the MTA has suspended fares in certain areas to help residents move out prior to Saturday’s noon service shutdown.

The storm "watch" was upgraded to a "warning" Friday, meaning that inclement conditions are expected.

Irene was classified as a category 2 hurricane Friday night and continued to surge forth near North Carolina with winds topping out at 100 mph.

In anticipation of the storm hitting the tri-state area, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said all New Yorkers living in the various so-called "Zone A" regions across the city must evacuate by 5 p.m. Saturday. Those who refuse the order face fines and jail time.

Additionally, the city has added the rest of the Rockaways to the mandatory evacuation order due to the potential inability of emergency services to get there.

"We've never done a mandatory evacuation before and wouldn't be doing it now if we didn't feel this storm had the potential to be very serious," said Bloomberg.

Click here for a full map of the city's hurricane evacuation zones.

However, the evacuation order became a bit more complicated as officials from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that MTA service will stop at noon Saturday, limiting options for residents who must leave their homes.

“In a practical sense, if you’re not out tomorrow morning, you’re going to find it difficult to get out," said Bloomberg at a press conference Friday evening.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will institute a system-wide shutdown when trains and buses begin their final runs around 12 p.m. Saturday.

It includes all subway lines, buses, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and Access-A-Ride services.

"Take an earlier train, take an earlier bus. If everybody waits for the last bus or that last train, that's not going to work either," said Jay Walder, chairman and CEO of the MTA.

The governor said the decision was made in the interest of public safety and to ensure that the system can be operational for use after the storm.

Cuomo also announced that some fares and tolls will be suspended to help residents evacuate.

Tolls are suspended on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, as well as the Throgs Neck and the Bronx-Whitestone bridges. Fares will also be suspended on buses throughout the city and for subway and rail passengers at stations in the mandatory evacuation area.

Additionally, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will suspend all PATH service Saturday beginning at noon.

For the latest transit information, visit mta.info.

Boroughs May Face Flooding

In addition to a hurricane warning, a flood watch is in effect for all five boroughs as the storm makes its way up the Eastern Seaboard, prompting states of emergency at both the city and state level.

The worst of the storm will arrive in the city late Saturday night through mid to late Sunday afternoon.

Winds of 30 to 60 mph are expected, though wind gusts could reach 75 or 80 mph.

Flooding conditions are likely as Irene is expected dump between six and 12 inches of rain before heading out.

The city is urging New Yorkers to create a "go bag" with essentials like water, medications, and important documents.

The city Buildings Department has ordered all construction work to be suspended in the city from 2 p.m. Saturday through 7 a.m. Monday.

DOB inspectors will check sites to make sure all equipment is secured.

The department is also asking homeowners to take precautions by bringing in lawn furniture, plants, garbage cans, and toys.

They also recommend securing windows and awnings.

“That is the calm before the storm," said Bloomberg. "It is very misleading. This is a very dangerous storm.”

Irene Impacts Airports

Port Authority officials announced Friday that all of its airports — including JFK and LaGuardia — will be closed to arriving flights beginning at noon Saturday to avoid stranding passengers.

Heavy delays were reported at area airports Friday.

American Airlines canceled more than 100 flights.

Delta, United and Continental also adjusted their schedules.

Many airlines are offering passengers the chance to re-book at no additional cost.

Passengers are urged to call their carrier if they had any plans to travel this weekend.

The Port Authority is calling in extra staff to help and shuttle buses will be on hand to move stranded passengers from all airports including JFK, which is in a low-lying area.

Plenty of bottled water will be available, and at least one food concession stand will remain open around the clock at all airports.

Officials will also be keeping an eye on the high winds to implement any speed or travel restrictions as needed on bridges and in tunnels.

Additionally, crews are on hand to help prevent flooding in the PATH system, using sandbags and heavy duty pumps.

Con Ed Prepares For Disruptions

Consolidated Edison is making preparations for the possibility of Hurricane Irene wiping out the city's power.

The company is bringing in hundreds of extra workers to repair any damage caused by the storm.

Con Ed officials said crews are in the field making sure access to all equipment is safe, including the trimming of trees around equipment and monitoring gas, electricity and steam systems in all low-level areas.

Officials said it's too soon to know how long it will take them to bring back power if it were to go out.

If you experience a power outage or any damage to your power lines, call 1-800-75-CONED or go online to CONED.com.

Sports Events Postponed

Sports fans will need to stay home this weekend.

Mets officials postponed Saturday and Sunday's games against the Atlanta Braves because of the hurricane.

The games will be rescheduled as a double header on September 8.

The Giants versus Jets game scheduled to be played Saturday has been postponed. It will be played on Monday at seven.

And while the Orioles and Yankees were scheduled to play a doubleheader Saturday, the first came has been pushed to September 8 while the second will be played as part of a split admission doubleheader on Sunday, August 28 at 7:35 p.m.

Residents Respond

Even before the evacuation order was issued, residents of the Rockaways were preparing by boarding up their windows and bringing in their backyard furniture.

"I'm out of here because I don't want to be caught in some sort of stampede out of Rockaway," said one resident.

"I never thought I would ever leave my home in the middle of a storm. I always weather the storm but this time I'm thinking about seeing if I can board up everything and maybe go somewhere else," said another.

Officials said residents should keep at least three days worth of food and supplies on hand if they plan to ride out the storm.

Meanwhile, City Meals on Wheels is extending its services to help the homebound weather the storm.

The elderly who are cared for by the program are getting three boxed meals in addition to the three fresh meals they usually receive on weekends.

Two of the meals will be chilled, allowing them to last 24 hours without refrigeration.

"They are comforted knowing that every day, a meal comes to the door, and if a meal isn't coming, if the deliverer will not be able to make it because of the storm, they will have what they need to stay nourished at home,” said Beth Shapiro, executive director of the program.

“If I wasn’t getting meals delivered to me, I'd be in trouble. First I'd have to go shopping, which I can’t do, I'd have to go cooking, which I can't do, and I'd have to have more money," said Louise Alexander, a meal recipient.

The Department for the Aging is evacuating the elderly who live in Zone A neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, as the hurricane moved forward, residents living in North Carolina began seeing heightened waves early Friday morning.

President Barack Obama declared an emergency for the state, allowing for federal help.

In a briefing from his vacation spot on Martha's Vineyard, Obama said indications suggest this will be an historic storm and that everyone in its path should prepare for the worst.

"The more you can do to be prepared now, make a plan, make a supply kit, know your evacuation route, follow instructions of your local officials the quicker we can focus our resources after the storm on those who need help the most," Obama said.

The president is not expected to change his schedule as a result of the storm.

He had already planned to leave Martha's Vineyard on Saturday.