Didn't notice the Quake, but

[Camino LS6]

...I don't expect to be so lucky with Irene.

[balthazar]

pfft- no doubt you'll see a bunch of rain, but 5/7 projected tracks take it right over my house.

We East Coasters will all be glued to the windows this weekend.

[RjION]

Irene, that tramps not coming near my place.

[Camino LS6]

It isn't the rain I'm worried about, we are so water-logged already that flooding is inevitable. What worries me is the wind.

Trees are already falling over on calm days just because the ground is sopping wet, any wind will be a disaster.

Glad I don't live at the shore.

Batten down the hatches Balthy, it will be bad here but you are closer ground zero.

I expect days without power.

Edited August 26, 2011 by Camino LS6

[balthazar]

I'm on the Route 1 power grid; other than 1 time it was out for about 45 minutes, power here has not been out for more than a few minutes in 19 years. That's excellent, because my sump pump will logging some OT.

Trees are a concern to a degree. Lots of tall boys around, tho they're well shielded by each other. Gonna have the chainsaw fueled & ready.

I think once Irene reached NC, we'll have a better idea what the bitch is up to. Hopefully, she'll lose a bunch of steam between there & here. Right now- the projection is 85MPH winds for Jersey.

Don't forget to charge up your cell !

[SAmadei]

I'm basically signing off until this is over. Mandatory evacuation for my normal home... going to go live in the other home for a day or two. It will be like camping... but its also like jumping out of the pan and into the fire, depending on where Irene decides to go.

Earlier today I was in Cape May when the entire county was deemed to evac, and it became a madhouse. Lines at gas stations 2 miles long, massive traffic on roads. Cleaned out stores.

Right now I'm putting valuables in the car and putting less than valuables up high, just in case there is a waterlogged house here to come back to.

I'm not one to get scared... in fact, I would normally ride this out, but doing that doesn't help my pets and would likely just get me stuffed into a shelter somewhere... but this is actually looking REALLY bad.

Good luck to everyone else also in the sights of Irene.

[Camino LS6]

Chainsaw at the ready here too. Our power goes out on good days - so we are doomed anyway. You've been down my driveway, so imagine if just a few of those trees blow over. PECO will not fix lines on private property, so it will be days before the power is back even if the main lines go back up quickly.

Then there is the weak dam at the pond - I've been expecting it to give way in lesser storms...

Gonna be fun.

[Camino LS6]

All the best to you, Samadei!

I too, am taking this one seriously - I have a bad feeling about it.

[balthazar]

Better safe than sorry; hang in there, SAmadei !

Camino- my brother lives down a .6 mile driveway, all downhill, and he's in the same trees/private powerline situation- he's thinking of camping out @ his girlfriend's in town instead.

Is there a most ideal 'weather location' to live in the U.S. ?? Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, flooding, drought, excessive snowfall- where the least drama?

[Robert Hall]

Good luck to all of you on the East Coast. I remember all too well the life in the Florida Keys in the '80s during hurricane season..boarding up, packing up and heading for the mainland, etc.

[Camino LS6]

I'd leave if I could, but the old folks who own this place depend on me when this stuff happens.

I'm stuck for the duration.

[Justin Bimmer]

Better safe than sorry; hang in there, SAmadei !

Camino- my brother lives down a .6 mile driveway, all downhill, and he's in the same trees/private powerline situation- he's thinking of camping out @ his girlfriend's in town instead.

Is there a most ideal 'weather location' to live in the U.S. ?? Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, flooding, drought, excessive snowfall- where the least drama?

Fresno CA - Aftershocks, not real strong, no hurricanes unless they are in a glass and you drink it, a very rare thunderstorm or tornado, flooding naw dog we have a freeway that can take floodwater, drought - it can happen here it is california, snowfall - what?. Heat- some dry 100+ days in the summer but not bad. But we are pretty smoggy.

[RjION]

Come to Arizona and campout in my back yard ...........

[Robert Hall]

Better safe than sorry; hang in there, SAmadei !

Camino- my brother lives down a .6 mile driveway, all downhill, and he's in the same trees/private powerline situation- he's thinking of camping out @ his girlfriend's in town instead.

Is there a most ideal 'weather location' to live in the U.S. ?? Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, flooding, drought, excessive snowfall- where the least drama?

Fresno CA - Aftershocks, not real strong, no hurricanes unless they are in a glass and you drink it, a very rare thunderstorm or tornado, flooding naw dog we have a freeway that can take floodwater, drought - it can happen here it is california, snowfall - what?. Heat- some dry 100+ days in the summer but not bad. But we are pretty smoggy.

I was going to say the Phoenix... heat (4-5 months of 100+ temps most days) and dust storms being the big negatives as far as weather or natural phenomena.

I've lived in the Florida Keys, various points in the Midwest, a couple places in Colorado and Phoenix, and I think my personal ideal is still the Colorado Front Range...other than big snowstorms, it's a great climate..lots of sun, dry, blue skies.

Not sure where my next move will be, 75% chance it will back to Denver...but there are several other areas that are promising.

Edited August 26, 2011 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[z28luvr01]

As of right now they're expecting they're expecting the eye to pass over the Nassau/Queens border. I'm about 45 miles east of that, so the worst winds are coming my way. 6" of rain will preceed landfall. I've got some pretty fat oak trees about 30 feet from the back of my house.

Prayers for all my east coast brethren.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

You guys be safe!

Luckily it looks like we're getting spared.

A soaked ground with wind is a HORRIBLE situation. In 2004 or 05 we were devastated by a hurricane in Asheville (a lot of vacant structures still haven't been torn down. But anyway, the news actually started advising people NOT to go outside of their houses because the wind was wreaking havoc on water logged roots and trees. Bad situation.

[caddycruiser]

Really, really shaky forecast to come.

Started with me getting texts last night warning to store ice, get gas, get candles, etc. Didn't know why. Then the news. Now that I live in Philly city, I'm not overly concerned. But today was the day of hearing how everyone's friends, parents, etc. "down the shore" are evacuating. My parents at the beach in Delaware are trying to get ready, but not really doing anything different than usual, they can't. I'm just going with it, whatever it may be. I live up a hill, on the 2nd floor in a new building, over top my garage. So, can't do too much. I could probably shelter a few people if need be.

Was watching Weather Channel & then Fox Philly news a while ago. 4x repeated, watched the director of emergency something or other in New Jersey in a press conference tell people not evacuating to put their name, SSN#, and next of kin with permanent marker in their left shoe "not a flip flop, not open toed..." so their body could be identified after hurricane. WTF...insane...watched 4x. Really?

Again, one of those things you don't know...until you know. I'm glad to be in the city now. My friend & roomie is in southern Delaware in the middle of an Extreme Home Makeover build with the ABC crew...day 4, outside built, now to the inside...they rented the crew rooms at hotels 45 minutes north due to the storm. Have to finish by Saturday AM, then reveal Monday, what a mess.

Edited August 26, 2011 by caddycruiser

[Turbojett]

Come to Arizona and campout in my back yard ...........

100+ degrees in the summer, snowy in the winter?

where in AZ do you live? Phoenix? Flagstaff?

[Camino LS6]

You guys be safe!

Luckily it looks like we're getting spared.

A soaked ground with wind is a HORRIBLE situation. In 2004 or 05 we were devastated by a hurricane in Asheville (a lot of vacant structures still haven't been torn down. But anyway, the news actually started advising people NOT to go outside of their houses because the wind was wreaking havoc on water logged roots and trees. Bad situation.

This right here is the main threat where I am.

[balthazar]

Camino- will that valley in your driveway go underwater, trapping you in? Has that ever happened before?

[Camino LS6]

Camino- will that valley in your driveway go underwater, trapping you in? Has that ever happened before?

It happens during most storms - but my 4x4s have always been able to get through the water.

This time I'm not so confident about that. That dam may give way entirely if we get too much rain.

I may have to use the neighbors' property to get out if that flood too badly or too many trees go down - but I'll get out one way or another.

[Lamar]

My family in Newport News, VA are preparing for the festivities as I type this. They've already ordered mandatory evacuations of two entire cities and parts of others.

Irene passes over Hampton Roads tonight. I'm gonna be glued to the internet tonight, monitoring the situation back home.

[RjION]

Where in Arizona ........... In the Valley of the hot hot sun. Should be 110* and under by the time you get here.

[BigPontiac]

I was in Manhattan during the earthquake on the 12th floor of a building near grand central and never felt a thing. This hurricane though...my plane is a sitting duck out on the ramp at the airport...really hoping nothing bad happens to it. Going out to "extra" secure it tomorrow morning.

Interestingly, each time a politician comes for New England, mother nature sends a natural disaster after them. Sarah Palin comes to Springfield, MA and a freak tornado levels the place. Barack Obama vacations on Martha's Vineyard and a hurricane heads straight up the coast toward the Vineyard. Coincidence??

[caddycruiser]

My parents live just a block or so off the water, Indian River Bay to be exact, down a windy river road in beachy Delaware.

They were ordered to evacuate today at 11:15am, must be out by 9am tomorrow. Made sense to me, given what happens there with water...and even alone just all the damn trees around their house. Bad. News. Waiting. To. Happen.

Called mom at 7:30 tonight. Dad was boarding up the windows (NEVER have I seen that before, ever) and mom was joking about how they're staying inside. "Everyone else is". Bad excuse, really bad. I said come to Philly, stay in my place, north, up a hill, on the 2nd floor, away from water and trees. Yet they camp in a beach shack covered by boards. Let the house get hit or something, don't wipe out all your cars with it, my thoughts. Last few tropical storm hits, branches everywhere, etc. This time, who knows.

Philly, I'm still not too concerned. Went shopping tonight. Target was mass hysteria, I had to leave. Super Fresh was calm. So I bought meat, ice cream and cereal. Like any other day.

Edited August 27, 2011 by caddycruiser

[balthazar]

Watching weather.com every few hours. Noted in the latest vid update off of SC, that the measured wind speeds are much lower than the oft-quoted 'Class 2 = 100 MPH' sound bite. I realize they want folk to be 'better safe than sorry', and I guess an average wind speed in the 30s isn't going to do that.

Oops- it just started raining here as I type this... ...OK; radar shows a small few-townships-sized cloud passing over; Irene's northern edge is still south of DE. That's good- I wanted to check the gutters tomm morning.

[Camino LS6]

Got the gutters I could reach on the barn and did various other prep yesterday. Today I just have to get some outdoor items stashed inside.

And wait.

Was glad to hear that the winds have dropped somewhat so the storm is now down to a category 1.

[BigPontiac]

The gutter attachment for my shopvac (hopefully) has my gutters in good shape now. Everything that can blow away is stashed in the shed. Now we wait.

I doubled up on tie down straps on the plane, topped off the fuel tanks to max out the weight, cinched all the tie downs tight and snugged down the cover. I'm hoping it looks *just* like this on Monday...

[Camino LS6]

Just a few bands of rain and a bit of a breeze so far. Time to take the dogs out and enjoy what time I have left with electrical power.

When it starts to get ugly, I'll post if the power is still on.

[ocnblu]

I am experiencing sustained winds of 3 mph, with gusts of up to 10 mph. Not sure how much longer I can hold on.

[caddycruiser]

I am experiencing sustained winds of 3 mph, with gusts of up to 10 mph. Not sure how much longer I can hold on.

Hah.

Pouring in Philly. Thankfully I still sold a new Acura MDX as planned to my customers who originally came in on Wednesday.

Open until 6. Dealership had 2 other customers, then we called it a day at 4. Very weird to see, however, was the Chevy store next door and their sister Nissan store to our other side round up rows of Nissan NV cargo vans end to end around the buildings up against their glass walls. I guess that does something.

Parents in DE just lost power, by text I just got.

Edited August 27, 2011 by caddycruiser

[balthazar]

Zero wind right now in central Jersey, steady moderate rain. WIll probably sit up all night monitoring...

[Camino LS6]

Starting to get intense here now, just had several momentary brownouts.

Wind is getting strong and the rain has been steady for hours.

[balthazar]

Lite to heavy rain in bands, wind hardly gusting to I'd guess 15. Chief worry is where all the water is going to go. Exactly 3" of rain so far according to my driveway spackle bucket... but the lawn starting showing large puddles before a half inch had fallen.

[caddycruiser]

Confirmed tornado in Lewes, DE, destroyed a house and damaged others. More warnings. Now seems things are getting closer to me in Philly, and not totally yet full in Delaware, all to be overnight. Warnings here around me in northwest Philly.

Pouring crazy. Street is draining well enough, not over sidewalk or anything.

[balthazar]

Has gotten nasty in central Jersey. Rain pouring down, usually calm but 25% of the time gusts blow thru.

I hear noises out in the darkness I don't like.

U.S. Route 1 power grid still holding....

Hope this passes ASAP.

[GMTruckGuy74]

Has gotten nasty in central Jersey. Rain pouring down, usually calm but 25% of the time gusts blow thru.

I hear noises out in the darkness I don't like.

U.S. Route 1 power grid still holding....

Hope this passes ASAP.

Southern NJ (Burlington County) is no picnic either... I have my fire dept scanner on and structural collapses, wires down, blown transformers, EMT calls on the NJ Turnpike (rest stop), dwelling fires, road hazards & MVAs - pretty busy night for the 44+ Burlington County fire departments. 10:00 AM Sunday morning can't come fast enough!

Planning to head over to the fire station in the AM... it's well-staffed for the night, almost no parking spots left in the lot. Wife wants me home for tonight "just in case", and I know if something bad happens the little guy would not be a happy camper without me being home. Wind gusts outside my townhome are bad, back of house is being pelted by rain... oh Irene, why did you have to come this way??

[GMTruckGuy74]

Confirmed tornado in Lewes, DE, destroyed a house and damaged others.

I thought of your family when I heard the news earlier tonight... hoping they are still well, and their property escaped harm.

[BigPontiac]

Lots of rain already here in CT and winds picking up.

Forecast predicts hurricane will make landfall on western side of state...and being on the eastern side of a hurricane once it makes landfall is apparently bad...

[balthazar]

Watching the radar on the hour, pacing the rest of the time.

By the radar pic, should get another hour of heavy rain, then a good bit of clearness.... but the wind has been kicking up.

12:30AM - almost in the 'rip' in the storm...

1:30AM - 'rip' is here; rain stopped. 6.75" so far. May get a half hour of no percip.

Eye is approaching, but hoping like hell Irene is getting real tired. More rain will come, but looking at the radar, I may be on the fringe of it, with more to the west of me. Can't sleep.

Edited August 28, 2011 by balthazar

[A Horse With No Name]

Hope things get better out east fast!

[balthazar]

Noon: Storm long gone but still very breezy- no damage observed from looking out, power did not go out. Ground waters already receding. All's well here.

Slept some, getting ready to go out & about with the saw- see if any wood/money is to be made.

[caddycruiser]

All clear in Philly, except for the flooding. My favorite slalom course known as Kelly Drive at the bottom of my hill vanished. I walked down to see. Corner of Kelly & Midvale here in East Falls. On my way down lady walking says "have you seen IT yet?" Hah.

Never lost power here. No damage for me.

Parents in DE had more. No power from evening until this AM. Tornado hit Lewes, damaged houses and tore up one.

Need to find myself a new route to 76, since the on ramps from down here are covered. Not sure how long it will take to go down.

[ocnblu]

Whoa, those photos remind me of a video I sawr on Youtube involving a really dumb Eastern European lady driving her Lada or somesuch into the water. I see no tiny $h!box autos floating in your pictures though, lol.

[caddycruiser]

It's shocking how quick it happened. I went down Saturday night to check it out, pouring but normal water level. Sunday morning, woosh. Neck deep.

Now, how to get to work tomorrow, I'll have to watch the news as to my method of getting on 76.

[67impss]

Hope Camino is OK he's not checked in yet. Glad to hear from everyone else being good this will sure hurt the economy at least the insurers.

[balthazar]

^ He expected power to go out, must be the case. If a tree took out a private power line, it's going to be some time before it gets repaired.

[Blake Noble]

I don't mean to be insensitive to the situation, but the irony in this photo is awesome if you catch it (read the street sign).

Good to hear that everyone here is safe ... hope Camino checks in, though.

[Camino LS6]

Nearly 9" of rain, and 23 hours without power - but far less damage than expected.

Things are ok here.

We got lucky.

[caddycruiser]

I don't mean to be insensitive to the situation, but the irony in this photo is awesome if you catch it (read the street sign).

Good to hear that everyone here is safe ... hope Camino checks in, though.

Completely true. Hah.

Got higher last night, as the sun came out and all cleared. Drove by at 7, was still nuts. Went for a walk this morning, all has vanished and Kelly Drive is back in action.