[NautiNurse]

Please take a moment to remember a lot of FReepers are potentially in the path of this storm. Use common sense when posting. Please take a moment to review the graphics and links provided at the top of this thread before posting graphics. For large graphics--post only the link.

[Paradox]

The good news about this storm is that it looks like most of the east coast will be getting hit with winds from the western side of the storm. With the current northward trajectory, this means that the actual wind speeds will be somewhat less that the circulating speeds (105 predicted - forward storm speed). Still a very dangerous storm and no one should take it lightly. Any storm surge predictions? That is one massive storm!

[BigFinn]

This gives you a perspective of how big this hurricane is.

View from the International Space Station

One good reason to live in California.

[freekitty]

Prayers for all the good Freepers.

[alancarp]

Other Resources:

webcam on Indian Beach, NC... should be within 10-20 miles of landfall.

Specific/Relevant NOAA Weather Buoys that will be closest to the path up to the point of initial landfall:
41004 (41 NM Southeast of Charleston, SC)
41037 (27 miles SE of Wrightsville Beach)
41036 (Onslow Bay Outer)
BFTN7 (Beaufort, NC)
CLKN7 (Cape Lookout)

Buoy 41010 was passed by Irene this morning. Wave heights went from a low of around 9 feet to a peak of 31.5. Maximum wind gusts: 64.1 kts... minimal hurricane force. I *think* the closest approach was about 72 miles.

[zzeeman]

Here's another TV live coverage: News12 NJ

[Scythian]

I’m so tired of the constant news on this hurricane, uggh !

[CitizenM]

Thanks for the thread. I am about 1-1/2 hr from the coast, in Richmond VA. We are preparing for an experience similar to the one of 2003...power outages, no water or gasoline, etc. We had two weeks without power then. Trees and debris were everywhere, power lines down all over and it took the employees an exhaustive effort to repair the lines. I think this time will be even worse since the hurricane is so large and so much of the East Coast will be affected. We must all get ready to endure hardships for quite a while. So get prepared!

My son works for the power company and employees are going on "storm duty" starting today. Please remember, if you call the power company to report an outage, or ask when you can expect power returned...be polite.

The power company employees who handle those calls suffered quite a bit of stress during the last hurricane that hit this area. Many callers were obusive and impatient and gave the Customer Service people a really tough time, cursing and screaming at them. Remember...When they are on storm duty they often work around the clock with few breaks; many do not go home and even sleep there or in motels nearby. Many stayed there while their families endured problems at home without them. They are a dedicated bunch, there to help and serve the public, so they should be appreciated...not mistreated.

[American Quilter]

Well done, NautiNurse! Good links and info. I’m out in Colorado, but I have close friends in Hampstead, MD, and I’ll be following the news on Irene.

To all mid-Atlantic-coast and New England FReepers, good luck!

[CitizenM]

The new theme song for EastCoasters: “Goodnight Irene, goodnight.”

[wastedyears]

I’m gonna have a bag together for whenever it hits, in case I have to go outside and help anyone.

[mewzilla]

Thanks very much for this thread, NautiNurse!

Prayers for all in harm's way from a veteran of Agnes '72.

[FlyingEagle]

Based on Hurricanes Katrina, in N.O., Rita, in Beaumont, and Ike, in Houston, the following is best advice:

if inland, expect 2 to 3 weeks with no power. There will be debris everywhere so get clean-up equipment and bags handy.

Fill up the car and park it in a garage on 2nd floor in interior, say at the mall.

Get a car-plug cell phone charger for post storm.

If you have an electric gate or driveway gate, leave it open.

Water is more important than food. Get a big supply of water.

If you have a generator and are transporting fuel, never leave cans of gasoline in an unventilated area. Keep car windows down when driving around with it.

Get 2 weeks food for pets and 2 weeks worth of any medications. Eat what is in your fridge first, then the stuff that thaws from the freezer, then boxes and cans of food from the pantry. Nobody starves in a hurricane.

Protect personal property by whatever legal means.

People do stupid things right before the storm hits. Hunker, shelter in place, unless you are in a low-lying mandatory evacuation area. Do not evacuate unless instructed to do so by the fire or police department.

FEMA is useless. They cannot even get water off a truck. Expect nothing from FEMA.

[americanophile]

I'm from the west coast and we don't have hurricanes. I've experienced the tail end of one in Boston some years back, but never anything approaching the fully fury. Still, I have to wonder how much of this media hysteria is really justified. By the time the hurricane reaches NY, they're predicting 60 mph winds. That's really not terrifying at all. The storm surge is of course what usually causes the most destruction, but headlines this morning included, "Hurricane Irene could bring Katrina-style flooding to coast, FEMA warns." Really? You mean to tell me that what looks like a glancing blow from a category two/three will be equivalent to a direct hit from a category three/four on a city and area that is at, or largely below, sea level, and which had broken levees? Forgive me, but I think I see the usual, "if it happens on the east coast, it's the biggest deal in the world" media bias.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

But the great and omniscient Obamugabe said that his election would stop the oceans from rising!

Will he make a statement repudiating the storm surge?

[blam]

Here's What Happened Last Time A Hurricane Smashed Into New York (1821)

[novemberslady]

bttt

[ClearBlueSky]

Bit of advice from SE LA-and someone whose been through too many major hurricanes and evacuations to remember-
CELL TOWERS go down first. You will have no cell phones. If you have a land line, plug in a regular phone. People are so dependent on cells, and have come to consider land line phones so ‘old fashioned’ that they will be helpless without their cells.
No power-no cell phones. Charge everything to the max-phones and laptops. Buy batteries. Hot and dark is real misery after a storm-and it could take a long time to restore power.
All electric homes also mean no way to cook. Cook now, freeze it. Lots of ice! Take care of pets! Stay safe!

[matt04]

Lines at gas stations were not too bad in the Springfield Ma/Enfied CT area.

Supermarket and hardware store parking lots were more crowed than normal. The supermarket chain Big Y has announced that they will open at 6:30 AM on 8/27.

[Miss Didi]

NYC FReepers:

Evacuation Zone Finder

[matt04]

Watches for CT:

Hurricane (all coastline counties):
Fairfield County, CT
Middlesex County, CT
New Haven County, CT
New London County, CT

Tropical Storm (all inland counties):
Hartford County, CT
Litchfield County, CT
Tolland County, CT
Windham County, CT

Flood (all of ct):
Fairfield County, CT
Hartford County, CT
Litchfield County, CT
Middlesex County, CT
New Haven County, CT
New London County, CT
Tolland County, CT
Windham County, CT