Hurricane Irene

[RJSquirrel]

Best of wishes and better luck to all of you in the way of this hurricane. I know most of you all there maybe not be used to this stuff. Ive been thru a few since 1961 and you dont get used to them.
I saw on the tele ones saying to news crues they were going to stay behind bec they never saw a hurricane. you see hurricanes on TV you dont sit in them to watch them. Anything thats not bolted down becomes a missile. These things always seem to aim for the vortex between your eyes when they come at you. Almost like they are alive.
Spent 2 weeks with no water and electricity last storm that hit here a few years ago. Couldnt find any stores open with gas for almost a week. I wont sit thru another one stuck at work. Had no place to go. No one did. Must have flipped the light switch 15 million times before it worked. Nothing to eat for a few days but what was in boxes and bags. Only hot sodas and water to drink. Its no fun anyway you look at it.
Im guessing this looks small compared to what Texas been thru the past few times, but when you are knee deep in nasty water thats full of rats, snakes, ants, and everything else that crawls, swims, walks, bites, chews and stings, there is no such thing as SMALL.
Dont sit there and watch, move..REAL fast ... You should be worried when the NAVY moves out.


But good luck to all of you we will be watching the news...

Obama turned the George W Bush weather machine on
the Republicans this time. I just dont think a hurricane is enough to clean washington up Mister Obama.

[RosieC]

I agree. I'm praying for all those in the path, and if they tell you to move out then do it, don't stay at home it's really not worth it.

Here in the UK we luckily don't get weather so extreme, but I know if we ever did I would do everything I could to get out the way.

Good luck everyone. You are in my prayers.

[vandagirl]

Yes that's a good idea. My thoughts are with every one who is out there. Take care, and hope every one will be safe.

[Junebug]

I prayed that this storm would take sharp turn to the west, but it hasn't, and probably won't. To all in the storms path, please heed warnings and stay safe.

[Eyebabe]

I have family and friends that have had to evacuate places for this storm and I hope everyone is safe and smart. We're in for a LOT of rain!

[vandagirl]

Is there any sight yet when Irene will hit shore? I sure hope any of you and your family will be safe.

[camille1585]

Irene has already made landfall in North Carolina and has moved up into Virginia I believe, and the tristate area is supposed to get it tomorrow.

I'm luckily very very far away from all of this (an ocean between me and it!) but being from Connecticut I have lots of family and friends over there. They're very close to the Long Island sound so it may get very nasty. A lot of friends are especially worried about the trees around their houses, it's a very green town. Some are contemplating sleeping in the basement because of this, but then again if it floods then that's no good either.

Stay safe everyone, hope you're all prepared and don't do anything foolish once Irene arrives.

[calypsoB]

So what is supposed to happen in CT? I know someone who lives close to the ocean (not beach Front). I would love some more detail from someone who is nearby (ie. on the east coast ) .

[Cattleya17]

i Live in The direct path of her.. we are all very worried! i live in the lower hudson valley its 50 miles from NYC which is taking a direct hit and its coming to my home next.

it has weakened considerably it was supposed to be a Category 3 when it hit us but because it took a more westerly tack i made landfall on a greater swath of land and some dry air into the storm which has helped to weaken it but our trees up in NY are not used to wind really at all, so with all the wet weather we have had and the rain we have gotten these past two days before she arrives the ground is very wet and its only going to get wetter when it comes.

We are already getting outer bands of the storm so when the wind starts blowing tonight its going to bring down the trees which will take down power lines. wet ground+high wind over time 40 - 60 mph gusts of 70= big trouble

[fotofashion]

Yes, it is difficult for those of you who almost never experience a hurricane. Here on the Gulf Coast, we do have some prior experience as well as preparations. For instance, we have a 15,000 watt generator. That will run everything including air conditioning. We do not have basements here (too high water table). However, after a hurricane several years ago (not IKE) it was seen that even the hospitals in Houston had their emergency electrical set-ups in the lower areas of their buildings and so the hurricane ruined them. The building downtown that houses the orchestra, etc. (major brain malfunction, can't remember name) suffered a very major loss when the rain flooded the underground parking garages and burst through the wall separating it from the archives of music arrangements of many years accumulation.
Much of the damage we, personally, have suffered has had to do with falling trees. We lost our travel trailer in Ike. I do dread the possibility of a major storm here this year due to the extended drought. Many trees are obviously dying and would probably be more prone to falling. We were without electricity two weeks during Ike. One week for the electric company to get things put together and another week to get a new service pole installed and ready for hookup. Meanwhile we learned to "love" MREs.
So, common sense has to rule in these cases. Get out if you are in a flood-prone area. No room for machismo here.
Beverly A.