Way OT: Hurricane Irene Open Thread
I was thinking that this thread could serve as a way for people in the line of Hurricane Irene's fire to keep all of us MGoMembers updated as to their status and experience. Looks like eastern North Carolina is already starting to get hammered and is in for a sh-tty next two days. Check out the NWS radar: http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=MHX&product=NCR&overlay=11101111&loop=yes
Anyone in NC able to check in and update all of us on how you're weathering the storm?
[EDIT: Looks like I should be a CNN reporter: http://ireport.cnn.com/open-story.jspa?openStoryID=655725#DOC-660225]
(If this is just too off-topic for y'all, feel free to shut this down - I definitely will not be offended. I just thought it might be interesting for people in other parts of the country to see how a hurricane affects people on the east coast, especially since this could be the storm of the century as far as the Mid-Atlantic and New England is concerned.)
August 26th, 2011 at 2:29 PM ^
I'll save you all the trouble:
I think Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start.
August 26th, 2011 at 2:37 PM ^
Reports are still coming in, but I think Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start.
August 26th, 2011 at 2:43 PM ^
Actually, several reports are now confirming that Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start.
<br>
August 26th, 2011 at 4:17 PM ^
Joe Schad of ESPN is reporting that Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start.
August 26th, 2011 at 2:29 PM ^
I was supposed to be driving to the Outer Banks this afternoon, dammit.
August 26th, 2011 at 2:32 PM ^
We should be hearing from Irene on Sunday night or Monday morning. For the most part the hurricanes aren't hurricanes by the time they reach us but on rare occasions they still pack a whallop. I am hoping it is either a tropic storm or misses us altogether by the time it gets in these parts.
August 26th, 2011 at 2:33 PM ^
I know this is being selfish, but I'm glad the hurricane isn't going to hit my area until after tonight, which is our season opener.
Hopefully everyone in the path of the hurricane suffers as little damage as possible. After feeling the earthquake on Tuesday, this is two natural disasters within a week (although the earthquake didn't do much damage).
August 26th, 2011 at 10:14 PM ^
I literally fell out of my chair balling in laughter.
10,000 points to you good sir.
August 26th, 2011 at 2:34 PM ^
My buddy lives in Baltimore. His latest Facebook update:
If I hear somebody say "Hope for the best and prepare for the worst" one more god damn time...
August 26th, 2011 at 5:24 PM ^
So far we have Mayor Bloomberg and NJ Gov. Christie (though he also said, "Get the hell off the beach!" ) and every reporter who reported on what they said. Except I think they reversed the order. Whatever Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said, he said it with the Bklyn accent that makes it sound so much more original.
August 26th, 2011 at 2:37 PM ^
Personally, I don't go into any hurricane without:
1. Keg (Abita Restoration Ale if I get my preference)
2. Whisky (Maker's Mark)
3. Pop tarts
4. 10 gallons of water for flushing
5. 2-3 36 packs of bottled water
6. Maglite
7. Charcoal/Propane powered grill w/ lighter
8. 5 lbs of ground beef
9. Cigars, preferably Rocky Patel decade torpedoes
10. Gun (I live in New Orleans, call it an abundance of caution)
I miss anything? Besides friends and a great excuse not to go into work?
August 26th, 2011 at 2:46 PM ^
If in New Orleans, add inflatable raft. Sometimes it can take days for the water to recede and "if" you must go somewhere, you'll need something.
August 26th, 2011 at 2:48 PM ^
Jet ski.
August 26th, 2011 at 2:52 PM ^
So true, although during Katrina my 10 ft. flatboat got destroyed. Still haven't recovered mentally from that loss yet. And I would recommend against inflatable boats since you couldn't make it very far. Debris punches holes in stuff easier than you think.
August 26th, 2011 at 3:12 PM ^
Living in Nola my plan was to wade with a crate and a Afro to loot liquor stores. Unique Grocery here I come..
August 26th, 2011 at 2:52 PM ^
Snowstorms/blizzards are way more fun to "ride out".
August 26th, 2011 at 3:04 PM ^
Prioritized inventory of what is in the freezer and the wine cellar (i.e., what you will grill and eat / drink first when the power goes out so you don't have to throw it out)
Filled propane bottles, and gas cans (for the chainsaw)
Check and make sure you renewed your flood policy
August 26th, 2011 at 3:07 PM ^
Is a biggie.
August 26th, 2011 at 8:02 PM ^
I vaguely recall some sort of Michigan moratorium on Maker's Mark, anyone else remember?
August 26th, 2011 at 2:37 PM ^
August 26th, 2011 at 5:25 PM ^
Thanks Ollie.
August 26th, 2011 at 2:40 PM ^
this storm really needs a liveblog
August 26th, 2011 at 2:41 PM ^
NY media is freaking everyone out, and my wife just said the local supermarket was being ripped apart by people collecting "survival food" for the oncoming hurricane. Personally, we live in Riverdale (which is the part of the Bronx right on the other side of the Bronx river from Manhattan), and from people I know in the area they expect it to be a bunch of rain and wind but probably not as massive as some would lead you to believe, at least in the city. Now, if we lived on LI, it would be a different story. The MTA (which runs all public transportation in NYC) has stated they will shut down some/all of the transportation tomorrow by 6 p.m. to protect against flooding and damage to the subway and buses. That kind of scares me, but could be more preventative than anything else. Still, not going to be fun.
Also, (in Jay Bilas' voice), Irene has a lot of potential. Big wingspan - she's only a category 2 in the books, but blows like a category 3/4. Huge jumpability - could hop over North Carolina and hit NJ like Tommy Amaker slicing through the lane at Duke. Definitely one to watch out for. Only concerns are that she could have stayed in the Atlantic one more year to get stronger and have fun, but I can't fault her for wanting to take her abilities to land.
August 26th, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^
You're right dude. See list above, enjoy potential time off from work. But remember to get some gallon jugs of water so you can flush the toilet if they shut the water off. Just save some milk jugs, fill 'em up before the storm and keep the auspices of civilization while your neighbors waste bottled water on the rancid toilet when they finally cant take it anymore.
Whisky really is the key. Not the least because when the power goes out it gets boring real quick.
August 26th, 2011 at 3:07 PM ^
with water. The tub is usually within conveniet reach of the toilet when you need to refil the flush tank.
August 26th, 2011 at 5:09 PM ^
I'm from the Midwest, so forgive me for my hurricane neophyteness. But, it rains during a hurricane, right? Why flush drinking water down the toilet?
August 26th, 2011 at 5:11 PM ^
*drinkable
August 26th, 2011 at 5:18 PM ^
because many times the city will shut it off just so they aren't adding to the flooding problem if a water line gets broken during the storm and often the water lines break during the storm anyway. So if you don't have water running to the house, no toilet flushing. But if you fill up the bathtub (or jugs or whatever), then you can flush (e.g. just fill up a jug, pour it in the toilet tank until its full). I'd advise getting a few cases of bottled water for consumption because no one wants to drink water thats been sitting around in a bathtub for 12 hours.
To recap:
Bathtub water = for flushing
Bottled water = for drinking
You need both.
August 26th, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^
Back home we did the tub and also a garbage can with a new bag that we filled with the hose before the storm.
August 26th, 2011 at 3:01 PM ^
Im in nyc and im getting the hell outta here in a couple hours. Already announced mandatory evacs for certain areas and transportation shutting down at noon tomorrow. I dont think nyc media is overblowing the situation at all. This thing looks to be headed straight for the city.
August 26th, 2011 at 3:06 PM ^
He's the one us Southerners use for accurate Hurricane information:
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=1902
Eye wall has already collapsed, which means this sucker won't be more than a Cat 1, MAYBE a 2 by the time it gets to you guys. As long as you save about 1 gallon of water per person per day (drinking) and about 10 gallons (flushing) no need to worry. Also, you guys will be on the West side of the hurricane. That's the weak one, so wind damage is unlikely.
August 26th, 2011 at 3:19 PM ^
And worst case scenario is that NYC looks like Venice, Italy. Hope that doesn't happen obviously, but I'm not sticking around to find out if it does.
August 26th, 2011 at 3:37 PM ^
I would totally be with you - I'd be the f-ck out of there as soon as possible, regardless of whether it's going to be a Category 2 or 1. That categorization only covers the wind speeds, not the amount of rain dumped. No way in hell I'd stay in the city if 10 inches of rain are on the way! That said, I have "experience a hurricane" on my bucketlist so I'd probably stay for the experience. I'm an admitted idiot.
August 26th, 2011 at 3:42 PM ^
you've got enough food and water, you're not going to die or anything from this. Having been in a ground level dwelling for multiple Cat 1/2 hurricanes, its really not that bad. When Rita hit Louisiana my drunk friends and myself, after getting back from the local watering hole and helping them finish their supply of beer after the electricity went out, grilled up 10 lbs of beef in 40 mph winds. One of the best times I've had in my life. The next day when it was hot as fuck with no AC and being hungover? Not so much.
August 26th, 2011 at 3:49 PM ^
That's a great story - thanks for sharing.
Its true, most people probably aren't going to die. But power loss is almost a given. And you forget - there is a chance of death from not being able to keep up with the Board posts throughout the weekend!
August 26th, 2011 at 5:19 PM ^
and being absent for fantasy drafts. Katrina and Gustav ruined two years of fantasy football for me.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:44 AM ^
I will have to martial my MGoDroid app time to save power on my phone!
August 27th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^
We actually live a little north of the city, on a pretty big hill. Plus, from talking to people in the area they say we tend to retain services pretty long, as compared to other areas. Plus, we really don't have anywhere else to go.
August 26th, 2011 at 4:03 PM ^
As a fellow Southerner, I just wanted to mention, for the benefit of others, that you are 100% on the money with the recommendation of Jeff Masters.
I think the big risk from this storm will come from storm surge and flooding (since there has already been so much rain in that part of the country), rather than wind (as you mentioned).
August 26th, 2011 at 5:32 PM ^
Right on brother. That man is my only source (well, him and www.nhc.noaa.gov).
August 26th, 2011 at 5:55 PM ^
August 26th, 2011 at 5:20 PM ^
He is a UM alum, and started that website with Dr. Perry Samson, who is a professor in the AOSS department at U of M currently. The dude knows his shit.
August 26th, 2011 at 5:38 PM ^
I didn't even know he was UM, but not surprsing since he's by far the best.
August 26th, 2011 at 5:42 PM ^
On purpose, that is. (The black-out wasn't on purpose.) They're trying to protect the equipment as well as the people, moving even the empty buses and train cars from the low-lying storage areas so they can get the system up quickly once the storm has passed. Most of the subways routes have outdoor sections, up on bridgework, open to the wind and rain. Putting both the trains and those on the outdoor raised platforms in danger. They're also talking about possibly closing some of the road bridges further up over the Hudson River.
I was here (Upper West Side) for a hurricane years ago and taped up my windows, but the storm center headed over Long Island and I remember thinking our winds weren't any worse than a normal windy winter day off Riverside Drive. But the current maps show the storm possibly going directly over NYC, so who knows? The TV report just said for those of us not in lowlying coastal areas 10th floor and below are safest... I'm on the 10th floor. Hmmm... But I'm in a strong pre-war building, and my hallway is a good place to hang out if I'm concerned about flying glass.
Not nervous for myself, but for my buddies right on the harbor in downtown Brooklyn. A friend lives on Atlantic Beach, Long Island. But he should know by now to board up the place and split.
August 26th, 2011 at 5:57 PM ^
August 26th, 2011 at 7:23 PM ^
I'll be watching from 29 floors up in BKLN. . . thawed a chicken today to roast tomorrow. Got a fride full of beer, although wouldn't mind braving the walk to the local beer garden. Bars that stay open during a storm (hurricane or nor'easter) are automatic 5 star yelp reviews. What else are you gonna do when you're restricted to foot traffic?
August 26th, 2011 at 3:02 PM ^
They've now announced that the MTA is shutting down as of noon tomorrow, which is way before the storm, but I guess they have to get all the rolling stock into covered tunnels that won't flood. They're also evacuating the entire NYU medical complex and the VA hospital on the east side. Battery Park City might be evacuated as well.
The worst case for NYC is apparently the storm making landfall near Atlantic City, which, due to the storm's counterclockwise rotation, would push the storm surge right into the harbor.
August 26th, 2011 at 3:09 PM ^
Bloomberg just announced a mandatory evacuation of everyone from Zone A (the lowest lying areas). That's about 250,000 people.
http://gothamist.com/2011/08/26/nyc_starts_mandatory_evacuation_of.php
August 26th, 2011 at 3:22 PM ^
Riverdale has the benefit of being high in elevation. You should be fine. I lived there 3 yrs ago, but now I live in Astoria Queens. I am literally 2 blocks from the river. We are loading up on sandbags and hoping for the best.....With some luck we should be ok too!
And should only be a category 1 by the time it reaches us....Easy ppl... Breath!!!