Irene - Northeast US Prep and Impact

[CrazyC83]

Just checked the radar futurecasts. I will have about 50 miles to spare between myself and the huge rainfall. That means the track on Sunday cannot shift west more than 50 miles before I am in trouble.

[Stephanie]

I went food shopping at around noon. Milk was gone, bread was almost gone, huge lines like it was a large winter storm. I filled up two left over 5 gallon water jugs from our water company with water.

NJ has contra-flows occuring now on the Garden State Parkway, Rt. 47, Rt. 347 and Rt. 72 - all major routes to & from the New Jersey shore. All are either north or west bound. You cannot go south or east on these roads.

I think that the State of NJ is handling this emergency very well.

[CrazyC83]

I went food shopping at around noon. Milk was gone, bread was almost gone, huge lines like it was a large winter storm. I filled up two left over 5 gallon water jugs from our water company with water.

NJ has contra-flows occuring now on the Garden State Parkway, Rt. 47, Rt. 347 and Rt. 72 - all major routes to & from the New Jersey shore. All are either north or west bound. You cannot go south or east on these roads.

I think that the State of NJ is handling this emergency very well.

That is AMAZING for a state with little experience of hurricanes.

[mf_dolphin]

Sounds like they had a good plan and executed it well

[CrazyC83]

Sounds like they had a good plan and executed it well

For a Northeast state, definitely. That sounds more like a Gulf coast plan (and they know a lot better too). But how did the other states do?

[Stephanie]

Sounds like they had a good plan and executed it well

For a Northeast state, definitely. That sounds more like a Gulf coast plan (and they know a lot better too). But how did the other states do?

That's what it reminded me of. I was very impressed indeed.

They just postponed the Phillies night time game for Saturday until September 15. They originally moved the Sunday game to Saturday afternoon as a part of day/night double header.

[CrazyC83]

I have not lived on my own until recently, and this is new to me. I realized the following:

* My area is at high risk of flooding in heavy rainfall as a creek is behind me and a river in front of me (although a fairly large one) and runoff from a hill drops into that creek
* Any deviation westward would lead to heavy rainfall here

Any special preparation tips I should take or suggest to my building manager? The 1st floor and underground parking garage is at greatest risk. I have no personal belongings at stake as I am on the 10th floor.

[angelwing]

I had taken off from my night job so I can go food shopping, left NJ around 1PM and the NJ turnpike was a little busy but not as bad as I thought it would be; I heard about all the other routes being backed-up and the delays. THe blue route was a mess though

Was able to find everything I needed at the store, but I am 30 miles NW of Philly, none of the neighbors here have put away anything in their garages or anything, I have my trash cans on the garage, my hanging plants, anything I could think of that would fly. I've been thru Agnes, Gloria and Floyd when I lived in Philly, I'd rather be prepared.

I haven't heard anything about the PA gov declaring any emergency, but I have been busy.

[Bizzles]

water, cans of soup, batts, etc, all check. Will have 4-5 laptops on a cycle come the power outages tomorrow to keep the cell phones up...

current plan is myself, brother, gfriend and 2 other held up in Mt. Holly, NJ. We're on Hillside Rd, the highest point in south jersey (backed up to the actual "mount")

I'll keep you all updated from "North/Western South Jersey" (upper left burlington county) as best I can.

I'm sure we'll be talking tomorrow before we go offline...Mother is in Garner, NC (just SE of Raleigh)...rains came in about 4-5pm est, 20 mph winds and steady rain. No update since.

[Stephanie]

I have not lived on my own until recently, and this is new to me. I realized the following:

* My area is at high risk of flooding in heavy rainfall as a creek is behind me and a river in front of me (although a fairly large one) and runoff from a hill drops into that creek
* Any deviation westward would lead to heavy rainfall here

Any special preparation tips I should take or suggest to my building manager? The 1st floor and underground parking garage is at greatest risk. I have no personal belongings at stake as I am on the 10th floor.

You just maybe stuck on the 10th floor. Do you have any friends on higher ground? Did you stock up at least on water and canned goods? Do you have flashlights?

Ask the building manager if he's sandbagging and what the other plans are, if any.

[Stephanie]

water, cans of soup, batts, etc, all check. Will have 4-5 laptops on a cycle come the power outages tomorrow to keep the cell phones up...

current plan is myself, brother, gfriend and 2 other held up in Mt. Holly, NJ. We're on Hillside Rd, the highest point in south jersey (backed up to the actual "mount")

I'll keep you all updated from "North/Western South Jersey" (upper left burlington county) as best I can.
I'm sure we'll be talking tomorrow before we go offline...Mother is in Garner, NC (just SE of Raleigh)...rains came in about 4-5pm est, 20 mph winds and steady rain. No update since.

I have family in Florence. The rest of us is in Gloucester County.

[CrazyC83]

I have not lived on my own until recently, and this is new to me. I realized the following:

* My area is at high risk of flooding in heavy rainfall as a creek is behind me and a river in front of me (although a fairly large one) and runoff from a hill drops into that creek
* Any deviation westward would lead to heavy rainfall here

Any special preparation tips I should take or suggest to my building manager? The 1st floor and underground parking garage is at greatest risk. I have no personal belongings at stake as I am on the 10th floor.

You just maybe stuck on the 10th floor. Do you have any friends on higher ground? Did you stock up at least on water and canned goods? Do you have flashlights?

Ask the building manager if he's sandbagging and what the other plans are, if any.

Confidence is quite low at this point, but tomorrow if it increases I will mention it. Not really no since I just moved here. My parents live 200 miles away (no threat at all there).

The back doors are a major problem spot, I know we might be sandbagging on Sunday if the threat comes. Tomorrow I am going to go to the library here to get a better feel before we make serious plans.

[Stephanie]

I have not lived on my own until recently, and this is new to me. I realized the following:

* My area is at high risk of flooding in heavy rainfall as a creek is behind me and a river in front of me (although a fairly large one) and runoff from a hill drops into that creek
* Any deviation westward would lead to heavy rainfall here

Any special preparation tips I should take or suggest to my building manager? The 1st floor and underground parking garage is at greatest risk. I have no personal belongings at stake as I am on the 10th floor.

You just maybe stuck on the 10th floor. Do you have any friends on higher ground? Did you stock up at least on water and canned goods? Do you have flashlights?

Ask the building manager if he's sandbagging and what the other plans are, if any.

Confidence is quite low at this point, but tomorrow if it increases I will mention it. Not really no since I just moved here. My parents live 200 miles away (no threat at all there).

Are you going to school in the city (Philadelphia)? Check out where they have shelters. See what your neighbors are doing. Stay away from the windows - the higher up you are, the harder the winds are.

[CrazyC83]

Are you going to school in the city (Philadelphia)? Check out where they have shelters. See what your neighbors are doing. Stay away from the windows - the higher up you are, the harder the winds are.

I am well to the north in Canada. No preparations at all taken here yet. I felt this was the best threat as that is the adjacent US region and no thread exists for mine.

[CrazyC83]

A calculation on Google Earth: my elevation is 197 feet (not official). The river next to me is at 188 feet right now and the creek behind me (visual estimate) is at 194 feet. So there isn't much room to move if we get the 10 to 15 inches that the worst-case models suggest. Other models suggest none at all!

[Stephanie]

Are you going to school in the city (Philadelphia)? Check out where they have shelters. See what your neighbors are doing. Stay away from the windows - the higher up you are, the harder the winds are.

I am well to the north in Canada. No preparations at all taken here yet. I felt this was the best threat as that is the adjacent US region and no thread exists for mine.

I saw your Lon/Lat, and I thought you were in Philadelphia, but that's approximately 75/40. LOL!

I think that you will be getting a lot of rain. Rivers and streams may flood and you'll have wind. Find out from your neighbors/building manager what has happened when the river/stream flooded out in the past.

[CrazyC83]

Are you going to school in the city (Philadelphia)? Check out where they have shelters. See what your neighbors are doing. Stay away from the windows - the higher up you are, the harder the winds are.

I am well to the north in Canada. No preparations at all taken here yet. I felt this was the best threat as that is the adjacent US region and no thread exists for mine.

I saw your Lon/Lat, and I thought you were in Philadelphia, but that's approximately 75/40. LOL!

I think that you will be getting a lot of rain. Rivers and streams may flood and you'll have wind. Find out from your neighbors/building manager what has happened when the river/stream flooded out in the past.

Yeah 45 is not as easy to see as 40. I am not too worried about wind since the power is underneath and there are few trees around me.

[capepoint]

You guys take this one seriously. Seawater Flooding is already reaching significant levels in Southeast NC well ahead of when it should be getting here. Lots of radar indicated tornados now as well.

[Hybridstorm_November2001]

Nothing for NB, NS, or PEI yet but here is what has been issued for Maine thus far:

HURRICANE IRENE LOCAL STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME
534 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...LARGE HURRICANE IRENE HEADING TOWARD THE EAST COAST OF THE
UNITED STATES...HURRICANE WARNING EXTENDED NORTHWARD INTO
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...

.NEW INFORMATION...
TROPICAL STORM WATCHES HAVE BEEN ISSUED.

.AREAS AFFECTED...
THIS LOCAL STATEMENT PROVIDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR PEOPLE AND MARINE INTERESTS IN SELECT
LOCATIONS AND COASTAL WATER LEGS OF NORTHERN AND EASTERN MAINE...
COASTAL WATERS FROM STONINGTON ME TO EASTPORT ME OUT 25 NM.

.WATCHES/WARNINGS...
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
NORTHWEST AROOSTOOK...NORTHEAST AROOSTOOK...NORTHERN SOMERSET...
NORTHERN PISCATAQUIS...NORTHERN PENOBSCOT...SOUTHEAST AROOSTOOK...
CENTRAL PISCATAQUIS...CENTRAL PENOBSCOT...SOUTHERN PENOBSCOT...
INTERIOR HANCOCK...CENTRAL WASHINGTON...COASTAL HANCOCK...COASTAL
WASHINGTON...SOUTHERN PISCATAQUIS AND NORTHERN WASHINGTON.

FOR MARINE INTERESTS...A TROPICAL STORM WATCH CONTINUES FOR ALL
OF COASTAL WATERS FROM STONINGTON ME TO EASTPORT ME OUT 25 NM.

A FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHERN AND EASTERN MAINE.
PLEASE LISTEN CLOSELY FOR ANY FLOOD WARNINGS THAT MIGHT BE IN
EFFECT FOR YOUR AREA.

.STORM INFORMATION...
AT 5 PM EDT...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS LOCATED NEAR
LATITUDE 31.7N...LONGITUDE 77.4W. THIS WAS ABOUT 1010 MILES
SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF BAR HARBOR ME...OR ABOUT 1070 MILES SOUTHWEST
OF EASTPORT ME. STORM MOTION WAS N OR 360 DEGREES AT 14 MPH.
STORM INTENSITY WAS 100 MPH.

.SITUATION OVERVIEW...
HURRICANE IRENE IS EXPECTED TO HIT NORTH CAROLINA SATURDAY THEN
MOVE NORTHWARD INTO NEW ENGLAND SUNDAY INTO MONDAY. BASED ON THE
CURRENT STORM TRACK ....PEOPLE IN NORTHERN AND EASTERN MAINE
SHOULD PREPARE FOR A PERIOD OF STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAINFALL AS
WELL AS A POSSIBILITY OF COASTAL FLOODING.

THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR 1 TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN ACROSS EASTERN
MAINE AND 3 TO 5 INCHES IN WESTERN AREAS.

STRONG WINDS ARE POSSIBLE WITH DOWNED TREES AND POWER OUTAGES.

UNCERTAINTY STILL EXISTS AS TO THE EXACT TRACK OF THE HURRICANE.
AND CONDITIONS WILL VARY SIGNIFICANTLY BASED ON THE TRACK.

.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FOR THOSE UNDER A WATCH...NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN PREPARING YOUR
HOME OR BUSINESS ACCORDING TO YOUR HURRICANE DISASTER PLAN. LISTEN
FOR POSSIBLE WARNINGS AND BE READY TO EVACUATE IF NECESSARY. HEED
THE ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLY WITH ANY ORDERS THAT ARE
ISSUED.

FOR INTERESTS AT PORTS...DOCKS...AND MARINAS...IT IS RECOMMENDED
THAT YOU PERFORM THE PRESCRIBED PREPARATIONS ACCORDING TO YOUR
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN FOR TROPICAL CYCLONES. IF YOU LIVE ON A
BOAT...BEGIN TO SAFELY SECURE YOUR CRAFT AND MAKE PLANS TO LEAVE
IT FOR ADEQUATE LAND BASED SHELTER. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

REGARDING THE COASTAL WATERS UNDER A WATCH...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD
RETURN TO PORT OR SEEK SAFE HARBOR.

CLOSELY MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS
FOR OFFICIAL STORM INFORMATION. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES TO
THE FORECAST.

FOR ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY AND PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION...
PLEASE REFER TO THE DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS RELATIVE TO YOUR
LOCATION AS FURTHER DESCRIBED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE OFFICE AND YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

[KBBOCA]

I just found an awesome resource.

http://crisislanding.appspot.com/

Particularly helpful for NYC city especially, it shows projected storm surge zones, evacuation areas, ConEd power outages, etc.

Type your location in the white search box to get a marker on the map, then click on various menu options on the right side of the page.

AWESOME INFO.

I needed this tonight as I have a close friend who has just moved to Hoboken 2 weeks ago, and I have been trying to convince her how bad the flooding will be there. This map was indispensable.

Also, I found some of the other info being put out by Hoboken411 and some other local websites excellent. And NYC also seems to be handling things well with planned evacuations, very clearly and widely announced closure of airports, & mass transit etc.

They're taking it seriously. I'm so glad!