Hurricane Irene

[peggyfromwastate]

Mrs k that was a better rundown than the alerts we've been getting from the experts... So sorry about your experience.

Looks like this storm is a cat 1 now and the cone is to the east of us a bit, but it's getting breezy.

[scarlett09]

Meenah, glad you're getting stocked up! Stay safe! I think we are all going to easily see 6-10 inches of rain on top of heavily saturated ground - tree loss and power outages are a major concern.

We are moving DH's car this morning to the hospital parking garage this morning and then putting my car in our garage. After that, we are house camping, lol. I just need to scurry around the house and gather up some clothes, toiletries and important papers just in case. It's very gray here, the first major rain band is headed our way - should be raining here in the next hour.

The ILs have decided not to evacuate, but to hunker down at home AND to allow the elderly grandmother to ride it out alone at her house. Sigh. They are so goddamn stubborn; they will definitely be experiencing the full brunt of the hurricane being just a couple of miles from the coast. I wish that they, at the very least, brought the grandmother over to their place so she isn't alone without power. I'm still very worried for them - they haven't taken a lot of the necessary precautions.

I might update again today, but otherwise I will see you all on the flip side (late Sunday if we have power and my laptop has enough battery).

[scarlett09]

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.

MrsK, I'm so sorry to hear about your experience with Andrew. Thanks a lot for the info, I will definitely be doing some of the things you suggested this afternoon. Unfortunately, we are not boarding up our windows, we don't have any way to do it. It's a 3-story townhouse and we can't reach the third or second floors (no ladder). The only window we have on the ground floor is a sliding glass door, which is partially protected by a deck. The management company sent a letter around yesterday about how to prep for the storm, but they will not be boarding up any of the units.

Peggy - stay safe down there! Sending you positive vibes that your power stays on as long as possible and then comes back on quickly!

[MrsK]

Scarlett, you can board them from the INSIDE. Board those that you can reach.

[peggyfromwastate]

Jenn... The fire marshalls are going door to door in Annapolis area today. I bet your dad will get found out...

I was on the phone w/my friend in NYC when she got to the grocery yesterday. She said "I'll have to call you back. I'm going to need both elbows." This morning she emailed me " The rain should hit here today--there's a weird end-of-days feel outside. This morning when I was walking the dog there were junkies on the corner a couple blocks up, like this was the East Village in the 80s or something. SO weird." (she lives in a very high-end area that is usually sans junkies).

Stay safe!!!

[peggyfromwastate]

Jenn maybe they were moved there from the lower level areas of the city? Shrug. I know they tried to evacuate the lower elevations.

[scarlett09]

Scarlett, you can board them from the INSIDE. Board those that you can reach.

Someone told me that I couldn't, that it would still blow out our windows and bring rain/wind inside. And I couldn't find anything on any federal gov't website that said I could. Of course, its already raining here.

[MrsK]

It won't blow in if you secure it well and it's better than nothing.

[DCJenn]

Apparently their part of Kent Island wasn't evacuated. Mom said that their house is leaking (they've had a leak since they moved in and no one can figure out where it's coming from) and it was getting very windy. She latched down the bees and took in all of the outdoor stuff. All of the neighbors at the bottom of the hill have left their cars in my parents driveway- they're at the top of the hill.

We will see...

J.

[Meenah]

I'm just sitting here waiting. I have an emergency bag for the animals in case I have to leave my house, I have 5 days of food for each one. How much water should I pack for them? The cats are approx. 8 to 10 pounds and the dogs are both 18-to 20 pounds.

[MrsK]

The guideline is usually 3 gallons per person or animal. Not sure how that applies weight wise but consider that they may drink more is they are in the heat/without a/c. Do you have someplace to go that will allow the pets?

[Meenah]

I don't anticipate having to leave the house unless a tree comes down on it. I do plan on being without power! If I do have to leave I'll go to my daughter's house and hope she doesn't have a tree come down. Another option is to go to my office if I can get there.

[Cinderella]

The North Carolina Emergency Management has confirmed a fifth death due to Hurricane Irene. They are as follows.

1) Man died of heart attack while preparing for storm

2) 1-car collision into tree after hydroplaning. Driver dead.

3) Man killed by falling limb while feeding animals on property

4) 1 killed by falling limb while driving on highway

5) 15-year old killed in car accident (Goldsboro, NC) at intersection with powerless traffic light

[HouseofWool]

I just saw on FB that Moonlight has made it through the storm and they are fine but without power.