Hurricane Irene

[scarlett09]

It is a free-for-all here. Grocery store was getting crazy at 10AM this morning and very low on water, milk, Spam and crackers. Not bread though, and I didn't see if there was a run on eggs. We won't be making french toast during this storm. Spam and crackers was a new one for me - there was still lots of TP left. We just bought our groceries as usual, and plan to use our grill should we not be able to cook on Sunday night. We also stopped at Costco to pick up Finish tabs and it was busy, but it usually is at 4PM on Friday. They were completely out of water.

My ILs are in a voluntary evacuation area - I can't deny that I am very worried about them. I'm not sure whether or not they will go and I'm concerned about DH's elderly grandmother riding out the storm in her house several miles inland. My hope is that stubborn ILs decide to evacuate and ride it out at the grandmother's house.

We've had messages from our power company and insurance company about the storm, and our management company just delivered a oh-so-helpful letter about preparing for the storm 24 hours before it arrives. Great job, fucktards - most supplies are low already, its late to be preparing now. And thanks for making NO effort to secure the exterior of our property, which is your responsibility, per our lease.

I never thought I would ever see a hurricane warning posted for my area, either in our current location, previous location of 8 years, or in either location that both of us grew up in close to the coast. It is stuff that you heard about happening in the past and you knew could one day affect you, you just never thought it would happen. I must admit people seem to be heeding the advice about stocking up, but I'm not seeing much preparation of property. Hoping that will change in the next 24 hours.

We've stocked up on wine and liquor (thanks NH liquor stores!), and since I have an expiring Groupon for a local deli, we will be also full stocked on sweet treats.

[DCJenn]

My parents are under a mandatory evacuation order from Kent Island (Maryland- in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay.) Now, is my dumbass dad going to leave? No. I hope he gets arrested when they come check the houses tomorrow morning.

J.

[moonlight]

Local abc station gal out in the weather found a black lab in the water swimming around. In the middle of trying to figure out what's going on she saw someone throwing balls trying to make the dog go farther and farther out in the water. STUPID people should really be the ones in jail!!!!!!

[diggitydot]

OMG, that's horrible! I can't even wrap my head around that kind of cruelty. I seriously wanna grow bricks at those assholes.

[peggyfromwastate]

Oh no jenn!!! I've been thinking of your parents. Is your brother going to go force him to leave?

[ladymoreta]

Praying for all of you and your families.

[scrub-jay]

Stay safe everyone.

[v-girl]

Praying for safety!

[bokelley]

Hoping for everyone's safety!! Good news is that there is so substantial weakening. Maybe only a cat 1.

[Meenah]

CRAP! I'm not ready for this. I'm packing up emergency bags for the animals, the cat carriers are ready to go, dog & cat food in the car (litter box & litter too). ALso have a bag for myself. My worry is the trees coming down and power outages. We have big, old trees here and have had a whole lot of rain this year. DH is the Attending on for ICU (must stay there) for the next three nights so I doubt I'll see him. I had office hours this afternoon, but went to the liquor store and Trader Joe's first!!!!!

[DCJenn]

Priorities, Luanne!

Stay safe.

J.

[v-girl]

I love that everyone is stocking up at the liquor store! ha ha!

[Deebs]

We're staying in the Marriott in Cleveland, waiting to get into our house (that's another thread, but all is good). There are TONS of electric company trucks staged here. I realize that people will still be without power for days, but at least the trucks and workers are ready to go and sleeping somewhere comfortable before they get to work. This is as far east as they're allowed to go for now. The people here are supposed to be headed to Vermont first, but they have to wait to see what the storm does before that plan is finalized. If anyone wants to come stay with us, we'll be in our house as of today. We're camping out, so any of you is welcome to come join us!

[Cinderella]

Interesting. They seem well prepared for this hurricane. I am glad that the hurricane is weakening. The national weather is saying that even though it is weakening it is still a hurricane force and it has expansive reach. It looks massive from NASA's space view. Please stay safe everybody & I'll be checking in here to see how you're all doing.

[MrsK]

Sorry, I'm chiming in late. Actually, having lost our family's home and business in Hurricane Andrew 19 years ago yesterday, I'm kinda traumatized. So I've been avoiding this thread.

Scarlett, if you have not done so, call your LL. If they are not boaring up the windows, please do it yourself. The X tape on windows doesn't work. Get some plywood that is slightly bigger than the window and board up from the inside. Be sure to remove everything from your balcony first as those things become projectiles in a storm. Also, put towels at the bottom of the windows because rain will still get in and soak your floors. Put almost full jugs of water in your freezer. You can use them as refridgeration if the power goes out. Also, your groceries won't defrost as fast if the fridge and freezer are full so pack empty spaces with bottles of water.

If you are instructed to evacuate, do it immediately. You don't want to get stuck in your house or on the road. There won't be anyone to help you. Many of my friends still talk about hiding in bathrooms and closets as their homes were torn apart arond them.

If you are going to be in your home during the storm, make a safe room. Choose a room without windows (usually a bathroom or closet) and bring a mattress in there. You can hide in there under the mattress during the worst part of the storm. The objective is to protect yourself from flying debris.

No need to stock up on tons of groceries but make sure you have some non perishables like crackers and peanut butter, baby wipes (for bathing), water, flashlight, batteries, work gloves, first aid kit, weather radio, and cash. Also, fill your gas tank. Gas pumps and ATMs that run on electricity may not be available to you after the storm.

Be safe and be smart.