BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 11:20 AM

Could be worse, Joe & Art... think of those who decided to vacation in Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD....or stay in Harry Truman's lodge in Mt. St. Helens.

Well, *I* am just glad I don't have beach-front property in Ocean City, MD.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 02:10 PM

I'm thinking I may have beachfront property in SOuth Portland before it's over. LOL



Thank you Spaw.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: gnu
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 02:52 PM

Yeah, today's change in the track and the upping of the wind sucks for Maine BUT all that could change as it has slowed down in movement. The longer it is over land the less it will blow... although that sucks for the more southerly areas.

Mom Nature coulda started this season with a Debbie or a Cathey or... but no, she goes with an IRENE!

I hope everyone stays safe. It really does look like a big blow.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Bettynh
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 04:34 PM

Amtrack has cancelled many routes and will probably cancel more in the northeast corridor soon.


NYC subways and rapid transit close Saturday noon. Since many NYC residents don't have any other transportation, mandatory evacuation of the most vulnerable areas of NYC (orange on the map) is ordered to be completed by 11AM Saturday. A few areas that won't likely be innundated but would be cut off will also be evacuated at the same time. Good grief, this seems so organized at the front end. I hope things go well in all those shelters for the 36 hours or so it's going to take.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 05:45 PM

Our local power company has released a robocall to all possible customers saying that we should "be prepared" for power outages lasting several days. They have 150 crews on standby, and requests for up to 600 crews from neighboring states outside the storm's immediate reach.

However, a report about an hour ago said predictions of overall strength of the storm were being revised 'slightly' downward....but with warnings not to assume this will be easy, because it is a very LARGE storm and will bring extreme rainfall.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: maeve
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 06:11 PM

Getting ready in Maine.

*******
"Hurricane Irene Preparations Intensify: Heavy Rain, Strong Winds, Coastal Flooding Expected
08/26/2011 12:00 AM EDT

AUGUSTA, MAINE -- As Hurricane Irene approaches the East Coast, state, county and local officials are preparing to respond.

Governor Paul LePage today declared a State of Emergency. The Emergency Proclamation authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel as necessary to cope with this emergency situation."

From the Maine Emergency Management Agency

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 06:40 PM

So...does anyone have a clue as to where those 380,000 New Yorkers are supposed to evacuate to? LI? NY? hmmmmmmm

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 06:58 PM

Their best bet would be friends on 'higher ground' right there on Manhattan

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 07:16 PM

It looks now as if this hurricane is going to be slowed down considerably as it grinds through NYC and Boston before reaching Maine. We're only expecting sustained winds of about 60 mph here, nasty but not a disaster if one is reasonably cautious.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 08:17 PM

Bill - We didn't need a robocall from POOPCO to figure that out. We've already had two minor power blips this week.

-- Gary

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 10:40 PM

Yeah... I lived in Kansas for 35 years, where it is quite windy and with lots of lightning storms, and we seldom had power outages. I guess there is more 'grid' now, where one break affects bigger areas. *shrug*

The storm is expected to be at its maximum here from 4AM to 10AM Sunday, and I fully expect to lose power sometime during that period. (Still filling water jugs and making big ice cubes in the old freezer)
Got my gas cooking stove working and have plenty of batteries for LED lights...which don't use as much power. We won't starve or dehydrate...so as long as no big trees fall on us, the only real worry is water overflow that gets into the basement.... I do NOT want to tear up rugs again!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Tinker
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 11:09 PM

We are looking at 8-12 inches of water regardless of the wind.... so I guess I spend tomorrow on a serious basement de-clutter and get everything organized for water. I learnt during Floyd (99) that even heavy plastic crates will float after about six inches of water and then tip allowing water in and... &*%#... we won't talk about the mess... but I may get all the laundry done.

Today we finished the yard. Screen house came down with a bit of work I don't think it was engineered to be taken apart again Oh well I think I marked it well enough to try again in the spring. My neighbor was wondering if we were taking odds on who's roof the top would end up on. Furniture is all in the garage as is the grill.

We have food and I'll get more water bottled up tomorrow. I doubt we'll have power when we wake up on Sunday....

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 11:30 PM

It is a tropical storm here in Wilmington, NC now. Heavy rain. Gusts, 30-40 MPH/

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 02:31 AM

While I am strongly mindful of all in harm's way, especially sister Annie, 50 miles east of Ocean City, MD in a lovely house surrounded by trees, I'm also disappointed in the 40% chance of rain for my locale. Temps have dropped in the past couple of hours, skies have clouded, and the wind is rising just a bit, but I am about 40 miles west of guaranteed harm or benefit from Irene.

I'm sure tonight and tomorrow will be exciting in Wilmington, Jack, and hope it does not cross the threshold into perilous as Irene moves through.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 02:51 AM

I think it's noon Saturday that all New York airports will be closed to landings, although departures may be allowed. Continental Airlines cancelled our flights through Newark late this afternoon. I'm pushing the travel agent to explore flights to Dublin through Houston, Toronto, and Los Angeles. All of these flights have seats available, and I can't imagine how flights from these locations will be affected by the hurricane.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: maeve
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:04 AM

Good luck and safe travel, Joe.

Thanks to our Canadian friends Maine utility crews will have some help to address fallen trees and downed lines: http://www.pressherald.com/news/maine-under-state-of-emergency_-canadian-utilities-sending-workers_2011-08-27.html

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Penny S.
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:25 AM

Thinking of you all with all your preparations, and hope it passes well. All I can remember from my sister's Australian cyclone advice leaflet is that you should open the windows - which I forgot about during our little breeze in '87. (But adjacent houses had the brick gable ends sucked out!)

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: fat B****rd
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:32 AM

I just wish all our friends who may be affected to be safe and sound.
Charlie in Scotland.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: artbrooks
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:37 AM

Remembering my mother's experiences the last couple of times a big one blew through Pensacola, I'd suggest anyone in the direct line lay in a big blue tarp to stretch over holes in the roof. The rain will continue long after the storm itself has passed.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 08:21 AM

What Charlie said.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: bbc
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 08:26 AM

Irene is supposed to hit my area by 2 pm on Sunday. I wasn't really thinking much about it till I went to Walmart yesterday (Friday) & saw the number of folks with jugs of water, stacks of canned goods, & packages of batteries in their carts. One young girl said to me, "Are you shopping for the hurricane?" Her mom said that we will definitely lose electricity. I didn't panic, but, after that, I did pick up a few things we can eat without cooking. I am in a high area, so flooding shouldn't be a problem. I think we lost most of our "loose" branches in the ice storm last winter. Thankfully, we had no plans to be interrupted. Hope all you travelling folks do ok!

best,

Barbara (2 1/2 hrs NE of NYC)

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: JJ
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 08:57 AM

Please! On a music board no mention of the author of "Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?" The great Bob Merrill, who composed a string of pop hits on a toy xylophone before moving into the musical theatre.

Here in NYC, I am ensconced on Morningside Heights. Our daughter has headed for the Poconos with friends. We aren't going anywhere -- we can't, because we don't have a car, and all mass transit will begin shutting down at noon. (It will take eight hours to complete.)

The wind and rain are forecast to be VERY heavy for over 20 hours, beginning Saturday evening. We expect to wake up Sunday to no power, despite the fact that all our power lines are underground. The ground is saturated, and water will go wherever it finds a way.

We have our potable water and will fill the bathtub tonight. Our stove is gas, and we also have food that doesn't need to be cooked. Put bottles of water in the freezer to keep things cold longer and are planning what to eat first when the power goes.

We have candles, matches, plus a crank-powered flashlight and radio. The crank-powered radio will also enable us to charge our cell phone.

Dug the old corded phone out and plugged it into the land line. Have a spare hundred in cash around, anticipating the ATMs to be down.

My biggest worry right now is water blowing in around the AC units in the windows.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: maeve
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 09:43 AM

"All I can remember from my sister's Australian cyclone advice leaflet is that you should open the windows " Penny S.

FYI...Although some people do still believe the misinformation printed on the pamphlet given to Penny's sister, this is NOT considered good advice because it has been shown to enable the very damage we seek to prevent; see information update here: http://www.snopes.com/science/hurricane.asp . There is some accurate information at that link.

I appreciate Penny's and other 'Catters' good wishes.

Regards,

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 10:25 AM

Winds picking up already here just north of DC. A few gusts, then quiet for a bit...then the next band. It's gonna be interesting.....

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: gnu
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 01:04 PM

300,000 without power so far.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 01:19 PM

The worst of it will hit Annie tonight, but she it is already pretty wild. pouring rain and tree limbs starting to come down in the yard from bigger gusts. She is riding it out at home alone because she doesn't think she will be able to get back into her neighborhood after the storm to check on her animals. She is as battened down as she can get.   Has all of her many musical instruments in inner closets and also covered with plastic in the event a tree pierces the roof and lets water in.

Says to picture her tonight lying in her hall on a mat with her windsurfing helmet on, and perhaps earplugs, in the hope she might actually sleep. In the meantime, full of nervous energy, she considering using it to restring a bunch of her instruments.

Earlier today she talked with a friend who lives about an hour inland from Nags Head who said conditions were really bad.

To give an idea of the size of Irene, I am 245 miles nearly due west of Nags Head. We have winds this early afternoon at 17mph with gusts up to 35-40. Not much rain, mostly just heavy clouds and high humidity.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 02:03 PM

Sounds pretty well organised, from the news here, which is dominated by it, except when it's Tripoli.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 02:19 PM

I think the worst damage, and probably the highest casualties will occur from New York north. Even though the storm will be weaker, it will be tracking far inland through New England.

This southern Hillbilly will be sending good thoughts and hopes for safety to all my Yankee friends.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: gnu
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 02:34 PM

McGrath... very much so. Impressive.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: artbrooks
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 02:37 PM

Just sharing a public service announcement - all members of the New Jersey Tea Party are urged to head to the closest beach for an impromptu rally at the crack of dawn on Sunday morning. The New York chapter should meet at Coney Island. Swimsuits are optional.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 02:42 PM

2:30PM north of DC, and the winds & rain are starting semi-seriously...Small, dead limbs falling.
I ain't gonna enjoy the next 12-24 hrs.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 03:08 PM

Slight breeze, no rain at all here now. Our neighbors had a large brach leaning on their house. that is gone now.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: gnu
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 03:20 PM

I have the TV on CNN and every now and then I catch a snippet... I have a question. Don't know where it was but they have run out of sandbags. They were handing out 5 bags per vehicle/family. Whaddya gonna do with 5 bags?

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: maeve
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 03:49 PM

This one has me scared; I admit it. We can't afford to lose any of our hard work and progress since the fire.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Bettynh
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 04:01 PM

This waiting business is the hard part now. So far, 4 dead in NC, 3 from falling trees, one (they're not sure it's from the storm) from driving into a tree. No Darwin Award nominees ("tourist perishes when swept off rocks while photographing storm surge", etc.) yet. The state and National Parks Service have closed all campgrounds. Our homeless tend to camp out along the Merrimack, and workers are out there coaxing them to come in for a day or two. Meanwhile, the shelter set up at our local highschool (really, expecting more post-storm customers than evacuees) has announced a pet-friendly policy. Maeve, I really think we're in for a water event more than wind. Those historic storms hit as force 2, at least, hurricanes. Irene has to go over a lot of land to get us, and that'll sap the wind. I do worry for the folks along the coast and rivers.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 05:07 PM

Just got an e-mail from Annie - her DSL had gone out but came back up for a little while. Don't know where she got it from, but she sent a little hurricane related humor.

‎"As Hurricane Irene prepares to batter the East Coast, federal disaster officials warned that Internet outages could force people to interact with other people for the first time in years. Residents braced themselves for the horror of awkward silences and unwanted eye contact.

FEMA advised: "Be prepared. Write down possible topics to talk about in advance. Sports...the weather. Remember, a conversation is basically a series of Facebook updates strung together."

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 05:12 PM

Your Yurt should actually be pretty good with wind, maeve. Best thoughts for you and TL, the farm and all the critters.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 05:28 PM

Center of the Delmarva Peninsula is getting 1-2 inches of rain per hour now with sustained 45mph winds, gusts to 60.

I'm anxious for my sister. Wish she wasn't alone.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 05:36 PM

This side of the pond we are thinking of you 'over there' !

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 06:03 PM

Hope you all keep safe and dry - and please let us know that you're ok!

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: maeve
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 06:21 PM

I find that life is never as simple as we might like to think it is.

We are only 13 miles inland, in a very rural area, surrounded by streams, lakes, and ponds. Roads wash out easily and often. Wind barrels through here in ordinary storms, to the point that greenhouses have lifted and been thrown.

Power is iffy here anyway, and when there is a regional power failure it takes a very long time to get it restored. Our telephone, internet, and electrical lines are all temporary lines. We live in a camper thanks to the fire, and have no way to protect it from any of the tall trees right out front. We have a rented porta-potty. It would be nice if it stays upright.

We are moving our belongings into the new yurt-under-construction and will pretend sleep there on a thin mattress from the camper. There will be a lot of erosion damage all around the yurt because of the disturbed ground post-construction. There are two massive white pines just behind the yurt. If they fall on our home, we are finished. We have no income and no help in case of another disaster here.

We can't protect farm equipment, nursery trees, 3 greenhouses, car or truck, or sheds. Quite simply, we have lost too much already to be complacent about further damage and loss. I'm not easily frightened, nor do I tend to complain or borrow trouble.

Oh yes- Rapparee, this one of those times when PTSD is more a verb than an adjective.

Keep as safe as you can, friends.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 06:38 PM

My heart goes out to you all. I've a dear friend in New Jersey, she's frightened too. All the shops are boarded up and empty of food. No way out of the city by public transport either now...

They're just sitting, waiting...

They're most worried about the rain, for they're at the bottom of a hill..and losing the power too.

They're not evacuating Rikers Island...


I hope you all manage to stay safe....and maeve I pray that this time the worst will pass you by. xx

With love to all
Lizzie

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: JennieG
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 06:53 PM

Thinking of you all, and hoping everyone comes through this safely.....where I am we don't get storms like this, so I can only imagine what it must be like.

Lotsa cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Tinker
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 06:58 PM

Waiting .... Spent the anxious energy cleaning and organizing the basement. I know there will be water the question is how much. Even plastic crates are at least 12 inches off the ground.

PSE&G sent out this very encouraging email. Telling us before it even hits to expect a week to three weeks of outages is not surprising.... but the part about the gas distribution center being compromised is less than reassuring.

Mauve you are in our prayers.... I am sitting a few hundred miles south 12 miles out of NYC ... Floyd took down trees and left about 12 inches of water in the basement but aside from messy clean up no trauma damage. The large tree that took 4 days to get out of the street only meant we had to drive around the block to get around.

Sending you all the gentle thoughts I can find to circle with the winds.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: gnu
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:42 PM

The forecast here isn't bad... 60 gusting to 90kph and 35mm of rain. Our power is very reliable and and there are few large trees that could take out power in our area.

I am concerned for the US seaboard, especially for those in rural areas like maeve. m... don't forget the bucket. >;-)

m... I know you guys will be okay. Hmmm... speaking of buckets, tell TL to put the tractor bucket on the port-a-potty. A 110kph gust just might knock it over.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: maeve
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:59 PM

Hey there, gnu. The first bucket is ready and waiting inside, complete with lid. The tractor bucket is holding down something else, since the porta-potty is too close to hazardous trees.

I reckon we will manage just fine. It's the memories of the fire and the year and a half of terrible loss and labor, alongside our awareness of how blessed we've been to have this beautiful new home, that make the current storm so stressful.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 08:13 PM

Maeve, my dear, I'm holding you tight in my thoughts right now!
Last time I checked, we were pretty much in the center of the northern track of the storm here in NH. We've got lots of extra water, ice, and the usual staples stocked, gas in the car, as well as a couple gallons ready to mix for the chainsaw, in case of trees down. Our community is very good at taking care of each other, so no worries as far as that goes.

Sending "high and dry" thoughts to all Catters singing "Goodnight, Irene" who would rather see her in their dreams than in reality!

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 09:03 PM

I've been watching the eye of this hurricane hovering over Norfolk, VA, and I'm wondering how Bob Zentz is doing. Much of the Navy fleet took off for open ocean a couple of days ago.

Charley Noble, waiting for the remnants of Irene in Maine.

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 09:08 PM

Rain is just starting here in bands of a few minutes. Don't expect any serious wind or rain until tomorrow.
I have three huge trees to worry about. We'll see. By Tuesday this will be a memory.
Hang in there True Love and Maeve. And stay safe.
Wish we hadmade arrangements for the bed. At least you would be comfortable.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: NA coast hurricane season 2011
From: Ed T
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 09:11 PM

What's the deal with this?

?