Hurricane Irene: is this lady NUTS?!

[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

[Freedom]

Warwick RI has banned all vehicular traffic until clean up is over.

If you are on facebook, you can see photos here:
http://www.facebook.com/nbc10

Just "like" the TV station to see the postings.

[phesina]

Wishing and praying that all you folks affected by this are doing all right.

[Barbara]

Sending all by best thoughts. Nature can be very scary.

[sparks19]

the worst has come and gone. no damage on our property thank goodness. one tree across the road came down but didn't cause any damage to their house. Brian is going to head out there when they are ready and help them take it apart and get it moved out of the front of their driveway.

but some critter has taken refuge from the storm under our deck and the dogs are FREAKIN'. Beezer cut his lip open with his determination to get to whatever it is. nothing bad just a little cut... silly dog.

[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.