Hurricane to land at North Carolina, rake up coast

* Millions of beach goers evacuating resorts

* New York, Washington warned to expect storm impacts

* Long Island in powerful storm's sights
By Jim Brumm

WILMINGTON, N.C., Aug 26 (Reuters) - North Carolina braced on Friday for a direct hit from Hurricane Irene, cities along the U.S. east coast were on alert and millions of beach goers cut short vacations to escape the powerful storm.
Irene, a major Category 3 hurricane, lashed the low-lying Bahamas on Thursday and was expected to hit North Carolina on Saturday before heading up the coast to New York and beyond.
At 2 a.m. EDT (0600 GMT), Irene had sustained winds of 115 miles per hour (185 km per hour) and its center was about 460 miles (740 km) south-southwest of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

With more than 50 million people potentially in Irene's path, residents stocked up on food and water and worked to secure homes, vehicles and boats. States, cities, ports, industries, oil refineries and nuclear plants scrambled to activate emergency plans

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/337266/HURRICANE-IRENE-2011-PATH-NOAA.jpg

Anyone here potentially in it's path?  
Anyone here have to leave their home?

I think I passed it, since I live in Florida.

I live in the north east and it's heading right this way. Still at a category 3, that isn't good at all.

I have friends in CT who are preparing for the worst. Apparently the governor has already declared a state of emergency

Just watched the new jersey gov give a press conference. They are evacing Atlantic city and the shore. 

It's supposed to hit us Sunday or Sunday night. We are going to stock up on water & such.



Cat

They don't know WTF is going to happen.  The National Weather Service said the eye of the storm has collapsed so it won't have the power of a hurricane, but what does happen will be more widespread.  I don't know, it seems more like an exercise in disaster relief as opposed to a real threat.

Carlos' cousin & his wife were in Puerto Rico when it hit. They must have enjoyed it so much, they are flying home to Rhode Island today so they can get hit with it again.



Cat

Carlos' cousin & his wife were in Puerto Rico when it hit. They must have enjoyed it so much, they are flying home to Rhode Island today so they can get hit with it again.



Cat
I hope the house and family are alright!

I live in New York and they're gonna shut down the transit system they said about 12pm so whoever lives In New York,MTA will shut it down and it hopes to return to normal on Monday.

I live in New York and they're gonna shut down the transit system they said about 12pm so whoever lives In New York,MTA will shut it down and it hopes to return to normal on Monday.


I would expect dangerous flooding in the NYC area.  I hope everybody has the wits and the resources to find safe shelter.

Irene is expected to track inland up the Connecticut River valley.  Hurricanes lose strength rapidly once over land.  I'm anticipating serious flooding for Hampshire County, Mass.  I hope we don't get hurricane force winds.  Even tropical storm force winds could knock down the old pine trees around our house.  If those trees hit the structure full on, the place is totaled. 

I'm old enough to remember Hurricane Gloria in 1985.  New Englanders prepared for Gloria like it was Armageddon.  When Gloria hit the Boston area it was barely a tropical storm.  Of course, I wasn't living in the Amherst back then, and Gloria was quite a bit more damaging in the Connecticut River Valley.  Besides, when it comes to hurricanes, it's foolish to take the past as prologue!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/14/sad5.gif

I have been watching the progress of Hurricane Irene on the news, I do hope she passes with no trouble.

Hurricane Irene downgraded to category one storm but will remain extremely dangerous, says US hurricane centre

I'm old enough to remember Hurricane Gloria in 1985.  New Englanders prepared for Gloria like it was Armageddon.  When Gloria hit the Boston area it was barely a tropical storm.  Of course, I wasn't living in the Amherst back then, and Gloria was quite a bit more damaging in the Connecticut River Valley.  Besides, when it comes to hurricanes, it's foolish to take the past as prologue!

I was 11 1/2 in September 1985,riding my bike at that time in the park and the wind just pushed me back,It was just so darn fierce that I just went home.

I have been watching the progress of Hurricane Irene on the news, I do hope she passes with no trouble.


That's a big "if",we can only pray right now.

Hurricane Irene downgraded to category one storm but will remain extremely dangerous, says US hurricane centre



with about 5-10 of rain,15 inches in New Jersey.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54835000/gif/_54835076_hurricane_irene_26_aug.gif

This graphic has made it clearer for me.

We might still get a category 1 which still isn't good.

The weather terrorist are at it again. Since 5:00 this morning the news has been on with tracking the hurricane.
We are going to get a lot of wind and rain, we will get flooding and wind damages and there will be loss of power.
This is nothing new with a hurricane, how many times do you have to show the sames cars driving inland, the same
boarded up casinos and the same idiots who decided to stay. We've been told since Thursday to evacuate areas prone
to flooding, evacuate the coastal areas, bring all lawn furniture inside and secure anything that may become a projectile.
Get of the TV already and just give hourly updates there is no need to constantly terrorize people and create panic.

I hope the house and family are alright!



I'm assuming the house is ok because our house "watcher" is here. Also, it hit the north side of the island & our house is in the south-probably just got rain, rain, & more rain.

We haven't heard from Carlos' cousin. Their flight may have been cancelled so they may still be in PR.

As for MY family? One of my sisters live 3 or 4 blocks from the beach in Conn.  :-\\ The other one is further in land and high up so I'm sure she will be fine. I just hope the one sister goes to the other's house.



Cat

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54835000/gif/_54835076_hurricane_irene_26_aug.gif

This graphic has made it clearer for me.


and after it hits New York,it goes up North and out to sea,hopefully.

We might still get a category 1 which still isn't good.


New York could get up to a foot of rain.  :o

and after it hits New York,it goes up North and out to sea,hopefully.
Hopefully yes, but how about Canada?

New York could get up to a foot of rain.  :o
...and severe flooding could occur.

Hopefully yes, but how about Canada?


Maybe maybe not,we'll have to see where it goes.

...and severe flooding could occur.


I can't imagine our basement being flooded with a foot of rain. :o

I can't imagine our basement being flooded with a foot of rain. :o
Do you sandbags at the ready?

Do you sandbags at the ready?


I'm sure we do downstairs.

I'm sure we do downstairs.
http://keystonewm.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/sandbags.jpg

?

Hopefully yes, but how about Canada?


The storm is not projected to blow out to sea.  It'll start breaking up as it moves inland.  I'm guessing there will be some sustained tropical storm force winds, heavy rain, flooding, power outages, and tree damage in my area, as well as where Cat and Carlos live to the north of me.  Probably heavy rain and not much else for Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes. 

I stocked up this morning.  I don't require much.  The grocery stores were sold out of bottled water, though they had plenty of seltzer, which is what I like to drink anyway. 

I remembered the panic before Hurricane Gloria in September of 1985.  I was a clerk at a supermarket then.  We had lines encircling the entire store.  Folks were scared utilities and public services might be out of commission for weeks.  They bought up everything.  It was great for business.

My first exposure to true mass stupidity:

Customers loaded up with frozen foods.

I was bagging their orders and thinking, "God, these people are morons!"
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/12/glasses9.gif

Authorities also advised as a precaution that people should affix masking tape to home windows in a criss-cross fashion in order to prevent injuries from flying glass.  You could see tape on windows clear into the summer of '86!

BUT that was Gloria, this Irene.  No devastation anticipated for our area.  Not nearly the sense of panic.

I'm kind of looking foward to it. Just to see what it's like.

Found this a couple of days ago, forgot to post it the other day:

Za2411qLlBo

Life may suck, but nobody can complain that they aren't living in the future.

Updated graphic

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54970000/gif/_54970670_hurricane_irene_27_aug(4).gif

Right now, outside of Boston, we are having on and off rain and winds at about 20 miles per hour.  Not bad at all, though they are saying it should be stronger soon.  Nowhere near the debacle they said we would get, but we will wait and see.

Hurricane Irene is producing spectacular pictures

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/12/2011/08/new-york-city-hurricane-irene_1000.jpg

I can't imagine our basement being flooded with a foot of rain.

Yep,I was right,my basement was slightly flooded but not as bad as I thought.  :(

I remembered the panic before Hurricane Gloria in September of 1985.  I was a clerk at a supermarket then.  We had lines encircling the entire store.  Folks were scared utilities and public services might be out of commission for weeks.  They bought up everything.  It was great for business.

I was 11 in September of 1985 and I remember riding my bike in that weather,the wind was too gusty so I went straight home.

Updated graphic

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54970000/gif/_54970670_hurricane_irene_27_aug(4).gif


It should go up the coast by Tuesday probably leaving us with at least 15 inches of rain in total.

Hurricane Irene has already hit North Carolina and Virginia, causing damage and the deaths of at least eight people, and New York says waters in the city's harbour have already risen 4ft. It has been high tide in NY but the height has now passed.

In the last few moments Hurricane Irene has now been downgraded to a tropical storm.

It could be days before power is restored to millions of homes, US Federal Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate has told Fox News. Damage assessments are just starting in some areas, he said, and it is not yet clear whether systems have been damaged or if they switched themselves off. An estimated 3.3m homes and businesses along the east coast are without power.

Amid all the coverage of Irene, it's worth noting that a more powerful storm - known in Asia as a typhoon - has hit the Philippines, killing at least eight people. The country is regularly hit by powerful storms, but the wind speed there, of up to 145mph (230km/h) was considerably higher than Irene even at its peak. Typhoon Nanmadol is now heading towards Taiwan.

At least 11 people are now known to have died during the storm, with as many as 4.5 million people affected by power cuts, reports now say. Most of those who died were killed either by falling trees, or in accidents relating to the sheer amount of water on the streets.

My thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected thus far.

This is just getting started for us. So far, flooding in the area.



Cat

This is just getting started for us. So far, flooding in the area.



Cat



stay safe.......and dry!

This is just getting started for us. So far, flooding in the area.



Cat
Keep safe

'It's safe to say that the worst of the storm... has passed,' says US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano

We came out unscathed thus far, the wind is still gusting and I am a little leary about the neighbor's tree but
other than a little flooding in the area we are okay. I guess living in a town that has Mount in it's name is a
good thing but getting to work tomorrow may be tricky seeing that most of the roads I take to get there
are under water. All in all the storm was all hype, the wind is gusting more now than it ever did during the
storm but at least the sun is peaking through. I would say, "Let the clean up begin," but other than a couple
of leaves in an over filled pool I got nothing and by no means am I disappointed in that.

In the last few moments Hurricane Irene has now been downgraded to a tropical storm.


Yes the rain is gone *cross fingers* but now New York has got some big winds to deal with within the next few hours.

It could be days before power is restored to millions of homes, US Federal Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate has told Fox News. Damage assessments are just starting in some areas, he said, and it is not yet clear whether systems have been damaged or if they switched themselves off. An estimated 3.3m homes and businesses along the east coast are without power.


Our power didn't go out thank god.

'It's safe to say that the worst of the storm... has passed,' says US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano


and so far, about 8 inches of rain fell in New York.

Our power didn't go out thank god.
That is good news

and so far, about 8 inches of rain fell in New York.
The Hudson River was very high at high time.

That is good news


I almost had nightmares about it.  :o

As Tropical Storm Irene recedes, New York begins to return to normal, with evacuation orders to be lifted from 19:00 GMT.

The Hudson River was very high at high time.


I thought we would get about a foot but it lowered to 8.

As Tropical Storm Irene recedes, New York begins to return to normal, with evacuation orders to be lifted from 19:00 GMT.


and some tree branches and uproots are on the streets and sidewalks,It's like walking in The Land Of Oz. :o

and some tree branches and uproots are on the streets and sidewalks,It's like walking in The Land Of Oz. :o
When the soil is damp, the trees become heavy and the only thing the trees can do is to topple over.

When the soil is damp, the trees become heavy and the only thing the trees can do is to topple over.


ground is so saturated with water that it has nowhere to go but to topple over and fall. Imagine the cost of damage from today's Tropical Storm. :o

ground is so saturated with water that it has nowhere to go but to topple over and fall. Imagine the cost of damage from today's Tropical Storm. :o
It will be in the millions and will insurers still pay out as it is an "Act Of God"?

It will be in the millions and will insurers still pay out as it is an "Act Of God"?


just about every block has trees downed.

just about every block has trees downed.
Damage to cars too?

Damage to cars too?


Thank God no but I could do a double check on the blocks just to make sure.

I have been following what is going on in the state. So far, there have been a lot of fatalities due to flooding-cars being swept away and such. I heard a report about a person's house getting swept away-with people inside.  :o :o :o


So far-no major flooding in our little town-but there is some in the surrounding towns.



Cat

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/irene-death-toll-18-four-dead-va

It looks like most died when they were struck by falling trees, some while right in their homes.  A few died being foolish, like the guy out surfing, and one out wading in the surf.  It is all tragic.

We came out unscathed thus far, the wind is still gusting and I am a little leary about the neighbor's tree but
other than a little flooding in the area we are okay. I guess living in a town that has Mount in it's name is a
good thing but getting to work tomorrow may be tricky seeing that most of the roads I take to get there
are under water. All in all the storm was all hype, the wind is gusting more now than it ever did during the
storm but at least the sun is peaking through. I would say, "Let the clean up begin," but other than a couple
of leaves in an over filled pool I got nothing and by no means am I disappointed in that.


and so far, about 8 inches of rain fell in New York.

Good to know you guys are alright. :)

http://www.weather.com/weather/hurricanecentral/article/raging-waters-in-vermont-hurricane-irene_2011-08-28




Cat

Holy crap, Cat.  You and Carlos stay safe.

Holy crap, Cat.  You and Carlos stay safe.



Like I said earlier, our little town seemed to be spared. I think the lights blinked once and we had some wind & rain, but nothing like towns around us. Here, I don't think the water on the road even reached the curb. However, they are evacuating a lot of places around the state. The sad part is that there has been several fatalities.



Cat

Irene should have been renamed Hurricane Peter in the Pioneer Valley because it totally petered out!

We had some gale-force gusts, but non sustained.  We had some heavy rain, but not enough to cause appreciable damage.  Nonetheless, the cops imposed a mandatory shut down of all businesses in Amherst.  No power outage.  Not even a flicker.  I did notice earlier today on Snell Road, a little shortcut I take between 9 and 116.  I saw a big tree stripped of bark, and swaying precariously.  Later tonight, I drove back and found Snell Street closed while the road crews cut down the tree before she fell on the power line.

Cable News pumped me up for a major weather event for 72 hours.  This sad little tropical depression was a total let down.  BUT, I would prefer a total let down to a basement full of water, a tree limb through windshield, and a 100-year-old pine truck collapsing on the house.  No thanks.  We'll take the anticlimax just the same, thank you~
:)

Irene is now in Quebec Canada and will be heading North so this week will be sunny skies with temperatures near or above 80.No rain until possibly Friday Night.

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/irene-death-toll-18-four-dead-va

It looks like most died when they were struck by falling trees, some while right in their homes.  A few died being foolish, like the guy out surfing, and one out wading in the surf.  It is all tragic.


He should've got out of the water when he was told.  ::)

He should've got out of the water when he was told.  ::)


Unfortunately some people have the "it'll never happen to me" attitude so they continue doing stupid stuff. 

Unfortunately some people have the "it'll never happen to me" attitude so they continue doing stupid stuff. 


never take chances.

I was able to get some shots today (not many).

One of the many rivers.

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww64/CatwomanofV/030.jpg

Anybody want to rent a house?

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww64/CatwomanofV/045.jpg

Next door to the rental place.

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww64/CatwomanofV/052.jpg


Same house.

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww64/CatwomanofV/056.jpg


Those poor people-and I'm sure others made out even WORSE.



Cat

Irene is now in Quebec Canada and will be heading North so this week will be sunny skies with temperatures near or above 80.No rain until possibly Friday Night.


Of course, Irene will have to change her name to Iréne now  ;)


I was able to get some shots today (not many).

One of the many rivers.




Thanks for posting those 4, Cat.

Like I said earlier, our little town seemed to be spared. I think the lights blinked once and we had some wind & rain, but nothing like towns around us. Here, I don't think the water on the road even reached the curb. However, they are evacuating a lot of places around the state. The sad part is that there has been several fatalities.



Cat


I'm glad that you and Carlos are safe and sound. I heard many bridges in Vermont got washed away and record flooding has occurred there.

Karma for standing well in this hurricane! (I could give you more, but I can only give you 1 Karma a day). :(

Hey Cat David Krumholtz (from numbers) remembered vt.

From twitter:

“@DaveKrumholtz: My heart goes out to all in Vermont tonight. Stay safe, and faithful.”



http://www.mtv.com/movies/photos/h/harold_and_kumar_2_premiere_041808/david_krumholtz.jpg

Like I said earlier, our little town seemed to be spared. I think the lights blinked once and we had some wind & rain, but nothing like towns around us. Here, I don't think the water on the road even reached the curb. However, they are evacuating a lot of places around the state. The sad part is that there has been several fatalities.



Cat


I'm glad dear Cat, hearing your house is still on its stand.
After a mighty ogre stamped on Vermont, you were crouched down the bow of his foot, Good for YOU !!
You and Carlos seem to have a silver lining within storms and gales.

Sorry for a many lost and sorrow, all around you two, :\'(

And thanks for being "shoot on sight" even in times of rain, wind and rage.

I was able to get some shots today (not many).

One of the many rivers.

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww64/CatwomanofV/030.jpg

Anybody want to rent a house?

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww64/CatwomanofV/045.jpg

Next door to the rental place.

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww64/CatwomanofV/052.jpg


Same house.

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww64/CatwomanofV/056.jpg


Those poor people-and I'm sure others made out even WORSE.



Cat


Wow,that's terrible.  :(

More photos (none of mine).

http://rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=RH&Date=20110829&Category=WEEKINPHOTOS&ArtNo=708309961&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1


You might recognize the house in photo #6. That photo was in today's paper.



Cat

More photos (none of mine).

http://rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=RH&Date=20110829&Category=WEEKINPHOTOS&ArtNo=708309961&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1


You might recognize the house in photo #6. That photo was in today's paper.



Cat



Wow I cannot believe that.  :o

The power is off in Foxboro, Massachusetts, everywhere but Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. They use 2 power sources, so even though the city is out they remain online.  There is supposed to be a pre-season game there tomorrow night meaning there will be thousands of out of towners descending on a city without power.  Recipe for disaster?

http://alloveralbany.com/assets_c/2011/08/Route%202%20in%20Cropsyville%20-%20Deb%20Reardon-thumb-525x393-7803.jpg
Route 2 east of Albany.  I drove across this stretch of road just last week!

http://alloveralbany.com/assets_c/2011/08/Route%202%20in%20Cropsyville%20-%20Deb%20Reardon-thumb-525x393-7803.jpg
Route 2 east of Albany.  I drove across this stretch of road just last week!




Wow that is just plain crazy!  :o

Friends in Glastonbury, CT say the power went off Sunday morning and has just started to come back in some areas of the town today.  Some of the schools re-opened today as well.

I haven't heard about any major damage in the area

Wow that is just plain crazy!  :o


Plains had nothing to do with it.  It was a Hurricane ::)

:D