Hurricane Irene: is this lady NUTS?!

[Karen]

We're in a lull at the moment, barely raining, but I know more and more heavy bands will come. All safe so far.

[Alysser]

Laying in bed typing from my phone....mikey is literally hiding under the covers curled up as close to me as possible licking my leg..poor boy. Got some adorable shots though. I'll Post them tomorrow. Power is still on and for that I am thankful.

[Karen]

Awww, give him a kiss from me. I know power is out in parts of Delaware, and of course the rest of us in the path are vulnerable.

[sasvermont]

Well, all is quiet so far. Just a few sprinkles. They are now saying it will hit later in the day. I had closed all my windows last night, thinking I might just get blown out of bed if I didn't.

Prue, the dog, was lucky to get in her bathroom break this morning. I hope she can do her potty thing in the wind and rain! We shall see.

The wind and rain is now picking up.......

Here is a link to NOAA map!

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at4...track#contents

[Freedom]

We have power, but 22,000 don't here in RI. One huge tree limb down in the back yard, from the swamp maple. Willy spotted it right away this morning, at their first potty trip, he promptly barked at it, knew it didn't belong there.

All 3 gates are now down at the hurricane barrier. One went down last evening about 8 PM, the other 2 about 5:15 this morning, and one pump is now on to move water out of the down town area of Providence, and out into the bay. Last time all 3 gates were down was 1991, for Hurricane Bob.

Oy!

It's a cat 1 hurricane, they have a tendency to hit the east coast every once in a while.

Is constant coverage to the exclusion of all else REALLY needed?

It's a rainstorm with high winds. The panic really isn't required.

Panic, no. Constant coverage, YES. Constant vigilance. keeping up to date, it quite important. Last time we had anything like this was 20 years back. This is NOT routine. The potential for problems is huge. Wind speeds have dropped to 75 MPH at the center, BUT the storm is stronger at 963 millibars (it was 950 - 951 for over 24 hours).

[Alysser]

Well, as expected, I think many towns over-reacted. The shore towns and barrier islands, however, did not. From Belmar to Cape May there is alot of flooding, Christie had issued a mandatory evacuation and I hope everyone heeded the warnings. Alot of people are without power, I still have it, luckily.

I stole some pics off the Hurricane News NJ FB page, some of these are insane.

this is in Atlantic City

Seaside Heights beach is gone.

Tuckerton

Oh and can't forget the pics of Mikey under the covers..he wasn't too bad but he was a little nervous.

When you pull the covers up..

[catland]

Just checking in from the west coast. I'm thinking of all of you and your furbabies in the storm's path and hoping you are ok.

take care