Hurricane Irene: is this lady NUTS?!

[sasvermont]

We still have power although it is flickering like crazy. The trees are swaying in the wind and lots of rain. Prue, the dog, doesn't like to walk in the rain and wind! I don't either.

It is predicted to be much worse tonight...higher winds and much more rain. It's been raining strongly since around 9 AM today. Tomorrow is going to be sunny in the 80's! Go figure.

Fingers crossed that the trees in the yard stay standing..... I have my car parked very carefully....and have prepared myself to go without electricity, if necessary.

Lots of roads are being washed out and lots of lowland flooding. Not in my neighborhood, fortunately.

Irene, go away.

P.S. As Hurricane Irene batters the East Coast, federal disaster officials have warned that Internet outages could force people to interact with other people for the first time in years. Residents are bracing themselves for the horror of awkward silences and unwanted eye contact. FEMA has advised: “Be prepared. Write down possible topics to talk about in advance. Sports...the weather. Remember, a conversation is basically a series of Facebook updates strung together.

[Karen]

We now have power again, I was out for about 5 hours. But we have not ventured much beyond our little neighborhood, and as this is a new development, there are pretty much no old trees. The landscapers came and took several branches off the little tree behind the apartment a couple days ago, I don't know whether that was storm prep or just time for major pruning.

Lots of rain and now heavy wind. Stay safe everyone!

[Barbara]

Sallyanne- I hope all stays safe and all the beautiful trees around your place survive- in their interest and yours.

[Randi]

Best of luck to all of you in the Irene path - stay safe!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I hope that everyone stays safe and that hurricane Irene blows over soon without causing any more damage. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent to everyone in need.

[Karen]

I did end up making one little trip, and today was a sad day for trees. Even the relatively small trees here in our two neighboring developments lost major limbs, and damaged a loved wooden fence. The water has receded a lot, but I am sure stepping on the grass right now would be like stepping on a wet sponge - you'd feel it sploosh around your foot!

The wind is still gusting, kak, so it'll just be a breeze, and then a big wind will bluster through, and settle back down, and it's only sprinkling now.

[Freedom]

Here in RI, half the population has no power, and it will be about a week before everyone has it back. (We didn't lose power)
Smithfield, RI water supply contaminated, they have to boil their water.
Providence alone has more than 70 streets closed - trees, wires.

My cousin in No Kingston NH lost power at about 3 PM and doesn't expect it back on any time soon.

My back yard as that "sploosh" effect, Karen, lol.

[Freedom]

On eastern seaboard, over 4 million have no power.

In RI, 2 main transmission lines are out, and 24 substations are flat. These 24, it is not due to the transmission lines, these are separate issues.

Next high tide is between 7 and 8 PM, and has raised concerns.