SANDY - Probs/Obs/Reports - Mid-Atlantic/Northeast/E Canada

[StormingB81]

Rain total now is at over 5.5 inches of rain...and still coming down

[artist]

Everyone stay safe and thoughts and prayers are with you.

[KBBOCA]

Re: Storm Surge in NYC area, Dr. Jeff Masters has a new update this morning here:

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMa ... rynum=2278

[KBBOCA]

The Mount Holly NJ NWS Office continues to excel with clear and very specific info.

Here is their current coastal flooding statement with expected high tides (times and amounts) for 8 - 10 specific areas on the Jersey and Delaware shores.

http://forecast.weather.gov/product.php ... glossary=0

Here are the details for Sandy Hook:

* A 4 TO 8 FEET STORM SURGE COINCIDING WITH THE MONDAY EVENING HIGH TIDE IS LIKELY TO PRODUCE A RECORD FLOOD AS MEASURED AT SANDY HOOK...POSSIBLY 1 TO 2 FEET HIGHER THAN EVER RECORDED SINCE STORM TIDE RECORDS BEGAN AROUND THE 1940S.

* AT SANDY HOOK... NEW JERSEY (SANDY HOOK BAY)... THIS EVENINGS HIGH TIDE OCCURS AT 741 PM... WITH A FORECAST TIDE LEVEL OF 7.5 TO 8.0 FEET ABOVE MEAN LOWER LOW WATER. THE MONDAY MORNING HIGH TIDE OCCURS AT 801 AM... WITH A FORECAST TIDE LEVEL OF 9.0 TO 9.5 FEET ABOVE MEAN LOWER LOW WATER. THE MONDAY EVENING HIGH TIDE OCCURS AT 822 PM...WITH A FORECAST TIDE LEVEL OF BETWEEN 10.5 AND 12.0 FEET...THIS LATTER PROJECTION SPECIFIC WITH THE PATH OF SANDY CROSSING THE NEW JERSEY COAST LATE MONDAY EVENING.

[KBBOCA]

http://www.nj.com is a go-to resource for info about preps and evacuations, etc. in NJ. I'm very impressed.

Firstly: Parkway tolls are suspended Northbound, and so are the A/C Expressway tolls, so people can evacuate from the threatened shore areas:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/1 ... er_default

Secondly: NJ.Com has a very large "live chat / Q&A" section on its home page where people can ask questions about the storm, tell where water, or batteries, or gas can be found, etc. Excellent.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/1 ... rt_m-rpt-2

You throw in Chris Christie's no-nonsense leadership yesterday, and I'm feeling pretty proud of my home state right about now.

And of course, ya gotta love some of the crazy humor NJ residents can manage even at the worst of times. Saw this comment in that live Q&A page at NJ.com:

"I have finally found a silver lining to this mess ....once your home is trashed or worst totally destroyed ,your property taxes will finally come down ...I'll be at town hall next week looking for a lower assessment at once .Sandy will do what no other politician has ever been abel to accomplish !"

LOL LOL LOL LOL. When I remember what our NJ property taxes were, there is MUCH truth in that comment!!!

[baygirl_1]

Thoughts and prayers with all of you affected by Sandy!
Just a couple of suggestions from someone who has been through several hurricanes and has experienced power outages of more that a week:
-after working your butt off doing all the storm prep, take a long, hot shower (IF you are not having to evacuate)
- do your laundry well before it looks like you may lose power
-make a nice, hot comfort meal the night before (tonight); might want to make a roast or baked chicken then make and freeze sandwiches from leftovers to eat after power goes out
-pull out the board games and cards to try to keep stress level down during bad parts of storm and on long nights after the storm (I learned how to play rummy, hearts, and poker after hurricanes when I was a kid!)
Good luck and God bless!

[Portastorm]

Thoughts and prayers with all of you affected by Sandy!
Just a couple of suggestions from someone who has been through several hurricanes and has experienced power outages of more that a week:
-after working your butt off doing all the storm prep, take a long, hot shower (IF you are not having to evacuate)
- do your laundry well before it looks like you may lose power
-make a nice, hot comfort meal the night before (tonight); might want to make a roast or baked chicken then make and freeze sandwiches from leftovers to eat after power goes out
-pull out the board games and cards to try to keep stress level down during bad parts of storm and on long nights after the storm (I learned how to play rummy, hearts, and poker after hurricanes when I was a kid!)
Good luck and God bless!

Thanks for sharing this with folks, baygirl. Very helpful suggestions which I hope persons in Sandy's path will heed.

[msbee]

Thoughts and prayers with all of you affected by Sandy!
Just a couple of suggestions from someone who has been through several hurricanes and has experienced power outages of more that a week:
-after working your butt off doing all the storm prep, take a long, hot shower (IF you are not having to evacuate)
- do your laundry well before it looks like you may lose power
-make a nice, hot comfort meal the night before (tonight); might want to make a roast or baked chicken then make and freeze sandwiches from leftovers to eat after power goes out
-pull out the board games and cards to try to keep stress level down during bad parts of storm and on long nights after the storm (I learned how to play rummy, hearts, and poker after hurricanes when I was a kid!)
Good luck and God bless!

great advice.
Good luck to all up there!

[JC380]

Ocean City has issued mandatory evacuations for parts of the city and other flood prone areas.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local ... 67381.html

[CrazyC83]

Hurricane veterans - any advice if the power goes out? What should I do if the wind gets really strong? I live in an apartment with two main rooms, both with windows, and a balcony.

[artist]

Hurricane veterans - any advice if the power goes out? What should I do if the wind gets really strong? I live in an apartment with two main rooms, both with windows, and a balcony.

safest place would be in the bathroom, if it has no windows.

[sweetpea]

I don't know if this has been posted before, but even though I now live in Florida. I was born and raised on the Jersey Shore. (Belmar, Asbury Park and Lakewood areas) There is a page on Facebook "Jersey Shore Hurricane news". They are awesome on evacuation updates, power outages, pics and info for all involved. Hope this helps some of you up there. Prayers and thoughts going out to everyone there. Please check in when possible. Be safe!

[jlauderdal]

Hurricane veterans - any advice if the power goes out? What should I do if the wind gets really strong? I live in an apartment with two main rooms, both with windows, and a balcony.

bathroom or closet, whatever you do stay away from the windows, one big gust and you can have a face full of glass, usually you will get some warning with the glass bowing but dont depend on that as a really strong gust in a feeder band can cause big damage...turn the refrigerator down now and and minimize opening and closing it if power goes out...no candles, battery powered only and when the sun goes down have flashlight with you at all times, trying to find a flashlight in pitch black can be difficult especially if you sustain structural damage

[Peach]

Hurricane veterans - any advice if the power goes out? What should I do if the wind gets really strong? I live in an apartment with two main rooms, both with windows, and a balcony.

safest place would be in the bathroom, if it has no windows.

Stay away from the windows, board or even duct tape them (X shape), also, heve fressh water, candles in METAL containers or bases, fill tub 1/2-2/3 full, get used to peanut better & cheese crackers.

[Peach]

Hurricane veterans - any advice if the power goes out? What should I do if the wind gets really strong? I live in an apartment with two main rooms, both with windows, and a balcony.

bathroom or closet, whatever you do stay away from the windows, one big gust and you can have a face full of glass, usually you will get some warning with the glass bowing but dont depend on that as a really strong gust in a feeder band can cause big damage...turn the refrigerator down now and and minimize opening and closing it if power goes out...no candles, battery powered only and when the sun goes down have flashlight with you at all times, trying to find a flashlight in pitch black can be difficult especially if you sustain structural damage

I use candles in DEEP metal containers, a shiny flashlight* can be located easier. A kitchen lighter can light the candles, plus help locate other items, in a small area. Several size cups stacked together, with the bathtub water any acciental fire can be extinguished (I have never had that happen.) Also, remove paper from the bathroom, and anything else flammable.

*I have one that is visible in the dark.

[baygirl_1]

Hurricane veterans - any advice if the power goes out? What should I do if the wind gets really strong? I live in an apartment with two main rooms, both with windows, and a balcony.

You might want to prepare a safe room in the bathroom or a hallway with no windows- radio, flashlight/battery powered lantern, pillows, blankets.
Just heard some good advice from TWC: if you have trees close to your home, stay on downwind side of home.
Also, plug everything in that can be charged and leave it plugged in til power is lost: cell phones, lanterns, power stations, portable DVD players, Nintendo 3DS (esp. important for maintaining parental sanity!).

[KBBOCA]

A great thing to have is a DC / AC inverter so that you can easily recharge small electronics in your car. (plug into cigarette lighter, has several plug outlets that you can charge your gadgets into.)

A huge help from the years I lived in FL.

Also, back for Isaac, I posted the following about a Red Cross App - but have not personally tried it:

American Red Cross ‏@RedCross
Our hurricane app also features info on #RedCross shelters, a toolkit w flashlight, strobe light, alarm http://rdcrss.org/Py9tHU #Isaac

American Red Cross ‏@RedCross
In our Hurricane App, there's a one-touch “I’m Safe” button to let family, friends know u are okay. #Isaac http://rdcrss.org/Py9tHU

More info here

[KBBOCA]

I've been posting prayers related to Sandy (along with links and information to help people pray) at a blog I contribute to occasionally.

The Hurricane Sandy posts and prayers are here:
http://anglicanprayer.wordpress.com/tag ... ane-sandy/

In particular, there is a very nice Hurricane Litany (can be prayed by a congregation or a family in a responsive pattern, or prayed by an individual). That prayer is here:

http://anglicanprayer.wordpress.com/201 ... ane-sandy/

[St Thomas]

Have a small cooler for essential items, especially if you have kids....keeps them from opening/closing fridge, losing cool....I also freeze anything that can be frozen, butter, water, juice, etc and transfer to fridge or cooler to 1)thaw..and keep fridge cool...I store important papers, china, photos, etc in washer/dryer/stove and dishwasher...all have great seals that make them waterproof..

It is also a good idea to have extra clothes and toiletries in a waterproof bag and store in dryer..etc...

You can heat jugs of water for a 'hot' shower or bath, by setting water near exhaust of generator (not too close)

[CrazyC83]

Is a flock of noisy birds flying away a sign a bad storm is coming?

Measured a wind gust of 26 mph earlier.