Northeast - Hurricane Irene

Well, I'm preparing as best as I can, here on Long Island. Forecasters predict the Hurricane, named Irene , will make landfall on Long Island. We are expecting 90MPH winds.
I have stocked up on bread and cheese, and bought a fresh jar of peanut butter (I had run out of PB). I bought eggs, and hard-boiled a dozen. I have about four gallons of water in my 'fridge. I plan to pt masking tape on my windows later.

My batteries are charged, and I have an inverter, so at least I will have my radio, in the event the power goes out.

Who else is preparing for the big storm? Long Island was devastated by a hurricane in 1938, but that was before I was born.

According to Google and City Flood Maps I'm 20 feet above sea level and out of the expected flood zone. I'm also one short block away from the supermarket. Still, it never hurts to have a fresh supply of PB&J on hand.

Do you have flash light, candles, first aid kit? It never hurts to be prepared. I went all out for a storm about 2-3 years ago, but it turned out not to be that bad. But I figure its better safe than sorry.

I am supposed to fly back from Cancun to Boston tomorrow....

A: I hope to hell that flight isn't cancelled.
B: I hope to hell I can get a ride in on Saturday because I have been off the bike for a week now....

Having been through so many of these "Storms of the Century" that never materialized, I have to admit that I'm slacking on any kind of preparations right now. In fact, like many other readers, my biggest concern is that I might miss one of the precious late summer-fall weekend rides that I look forward to every year around this time.

I'll probably charge up my Nite Rider bike light, which is the best damned flashlight I've ever owned. And perhaps I'll fill some water bottles...but that's about all.

Since I'm about 1000 feet above sea level, I'm not too worried about this hurricane unless the high winds bring some trees down into the house or knock out power. In any case, I've got plenty of beer and food. :thumb:

Here in Great Neck, not worried about flooding. But we have some additional water here and plenty of clif bars.

I am supposed to fly back from Cancun to Boston tomorrow....

A: I hope to hell that flight isn't cancelled.
B: I hope to hell I can get a ride in on Saturday because I have been off the bike for a week now....

A.) It probably will.
B.) It's moot. I'm willing to bet you won't be here.
It might be better that way dnuzzo. Stay well.

For those in places that lose power, feel free to send me all your ice cream. :)


just kidding, stay safe and above water folks! :)

Jay

I'm in Teaneck. We've stocked up on everything. One thing I might add: take pics of your rooms in case anything gets damaged. It's easier to show for insurance purposes.
Also, have all your IMPORTANT forms(passport, insurance info, birth cert.) with you or in a safe place.

Deck furniture in basement, grill in garage, batteries fresh, making sure I have wax for the surfboard and a vacation day or 2 - bring it:twitchy:

I'll be stocking up on spam, deviled ham, crackers and spray on cheese.

I actually went out and bought water today, the big jug office water cooler sizes. First time in 30 years living on L.I. I had to laugh at all the folks buying cases of the 20oz sized Evian, Fuji and Poland Springs. I'm thinking they are not getting the concept that in 4 days you'll be using it for a bath.

I was/am a bit more worried about this one as it's really headed direct for Nassau County and I'm 3 blocks south of Sunrise in Freeport. I actually got a call today from what I think was Mango-Mango's office telling us that "everyone that lives south of Sunrise is in a mandatory evacuation zone". WTF !, first time I've every heard that one !. I'm not in a Cat 3 zone and barely in a Cat 4 zone so am staying put. Freeport's got it's own power system and we tend to stay up, crossing fingers...

I heard a good tip on the Weather Channel tonight: Fill some tupperware containers with water and freeze them. Should you lose electricity, the ice will help preserve items in your freezer or refrigerator for a longer period of time. I was all over that, but I haven't stocked up on milk, eggs, and bread. I don't normally make french toast, so why would I make it during a hurricane?:)

Blueberry capital of the world - NJ!?!? :lol: :p

Maine produces 25% of all lowbush blueberries in North America, making it the largest producer in the world.[citation needed] Maine's 24,291 hectares (60,020 acres) (FAO figures)[Full citation needed] of blueberry were propagated from native plants that occur naturally in the understory of its coastal forests. The Maine crop requires about 50,000 beehives for pollination, with most of the hives being trucked in from other states for that purpose. Many towns in Maine lay claim to being the blueberry capital, and several festivals are centered around the blueberry. The wild blueberry is the official fruit of Maine and is often as much a symbol of Maine as the lobster. While Maine is the leader of lowbush blueberry production in the United States, Michigan is the leader in highbush production.[6] In 1998, Michigan farms produced 220,000 tonnes (490,000,000 lb) of blueberries, accounting for 32% of the small, round berries eaten in the United States.[7]

Significant acreages of highbush blueberries are cultivated in the states of New Jersey, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.[8][9]

so much for tour de putnam! charging my ryobi 18v batteries for the flashlights and charging my seca 1400 headlight. dutchess county (NY) tends to lose power with these things - good thing I had my beach vacation last week.

I lived in Biloxi, Mississippi during a category 2-3 hurricane about 15 years ago. I watched the storm surge raise the water level in the back bay 20 feet at the apartment complex I lived in at the time. Narragansett Bay, where I live in now, is funnel shaped which means that a storm surge magnifies the flood level well more than might be expected.

The tupperware ice trick is a good one Miss Kenton. I'm freezing some water right now and will lay in some extra food today. I have two kerosene lamps in the event power is lost for several days and a portable radio.

Cleaned up the yard this morning. Stocked up yesterday.
That leaves me with plenty of time for a nice ride today :)

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ Irene seems to be moving just a tiny bit faster now. Time to batten down the hatches.

Blueberry capital of the world - NJ!?!? :lol: :p

Maine produces 25% of all lowbush blueberries in North America, making it the largest producer in the world.[citation needed] Maine's 24,291 hectares (60,020 acres) (FAO figures)[Full citation needed] of blueberry were propagated from native plants that occur naturally in the understory of its coastal forests. The Maine crop requires about 50,000 beehives for pollination, with most of the hives being trucked in from other states for that purpose. Many towns in Maine lay claim to being the blueberry capital, and several festivals are centered around the blueberry. The wild blueberry is the official fruit of Maine and is often as much a symbol of Maine as the lobster. While Maine is the leader of lowbush blueberry production in the United States, Michigan is the leader in highbush production.[6] In 1998, Michigan farms produced 220,000 tonnes (490,000,000 lb) of blueberries, accounting for 32% of the small, round berries eaten in the United States.[7]

Significant acreages of highbush blueberries are cultivated in the states of New Jersey, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.[8][9]

New Jersey, IIRC, is the Tomato Capital of the US, followed by California.

I've filled four half-gallon milk bottles with water, and put them in the freezer, but not all-the-way full, so they don't burst.

I bought more saltine crackers, and more canned beans.

I got a bottle of vinegar.

I put the masking tape on my windows.

I've got lots of bicycle lighting to use as flashlights, I'm not worried there. I've got 12 volt Ebike batteries, and an inverter, so I can listen to the radio.

I have a home made camp stove, and about ten pounds of charcoal. Moving my furniture in from the balcony.

Batten down the hatches!

Mom's winter home is in Malverne, Long Island, and nobody's home. Not sure if any of the neighbors have a key. I heard that taping the windows is an old wives' tale. Should I be worried? Any suggestions?

Mom is up in Gloucester right now with her store in Rockport, right on the water, and we might be heading there to batten down the hatches and then take her back with us to Boston if the sh*t hits the fan. They've been talking about evacuating Gloucester and Rockport...

As for me, in Boston, we live next door to a cemetery so I'm not worried about flooding. I think it's pretty likely my rickety old shed will implode, which I would not be too upset about since it would be nice to have our insurance pay for a new one. But I'd cry if all my bikes that are inside that shed got crushed, so they're going into the basement along with the outdoor furniture. We cancelled our paddling trip to Maine this weekend -- not going to want to drive back to Boston on Sunday in these conditions.

Still planning on doing D2R2 tomorrow even though going home will be a bit sloppy.

It doesn't do much harm to be hungry for 2 or 3 days ;). Does anyone know, of those mandatory evacuations, where will the people stay? Is the city going to offer free hotels?

I'm on the next to the last block of the evacuation zone.
Just prepped the house and am sitting it out.

It doesn't do much harm to be hungry for 2 or 3 days ;). Does anyone know, of those mandatory evacuations, where will the people stay? Is the city going to offer free hotels?

No free ride.

All the local governments have been sending out literature for years to folks living in area's that are in hurricane flood zones, with info as to what to bring and to have GO kits ready. They also tel you to plan to stay with friends or wherever, or to come to shelters, but to make these plans ahead of time. I have made arraignments to stay, if needed, with a friend on the north shore of Long Island. I'm 2 houses north of our evac zone so can in theory stay put. .

I just read on MSNBC that 2.5 million people are evacuating the eastern seaboard and it's a that the government ain't picking up the hotel tab

A.) It probably will.
B.) It's moot. I'm willing to bet you won't be here.
It might be better that way dnuzzo. Stay well.

Thank you for your good wishes my friend. Although as luck would have it they cancelled the Myrtle beach stop and now I am about to take off for a direct flight to Boston! If I don't post again and a spirit airlines plane goes down I wish you all happy cycling! I will either be eternally descending or ascending the ultimate hill climb.

Now let's hope I am riding tomorrow! :P

If things get really bad for anybody, do like I've seen them do in Africa -strap supplies to your bike, which has low rolling resistance and high clearance even if you arn't riding it. It will make a walk-out much easier, with alot more gear.

Hopefully my first (and last) hurricane story:

We recently moved to a town of 79 ft average elevation, 40-60 feet from a river, at the bottom of a hill which is just about the lowest elevation in town. There is still puddles in our driveway, and mud in the lawns, from all the rain we've already had. The river behind our house already broke banks & flooded about 20 feet up towards our ground-floor apartment unit with a big low sliding window-door a couple days ago, and the storm before that I had already had to dig a small trench to drain water off our patio.

After prepping everything we could today and yesterday, I went out for a ride.

I scouted out all the bridges & bodies of water we would need to drive over if we get flooded. Not only did I see 3 turtles and a frog, but I assured myself that both of our planned routes to higher ground were raised at least 6 feet above the current water line.

I know I was being dramatic, but it was reassuring - and I got to relive my childhood, when Jack London and Lucifer's Hammer inspired many a summer game while biking around.

It's nice to know we cross the major river & gain altitude without trusting the dog to the whims of a shelter. I'm glad I aleady had an excuse to have sturdy light rain-gear for the lady and I, too.

'cant wait to laugh at myself on Monday, Good luck everybody!

It doesn't do much harm to be hungry for 2 or 3 days ;). Does anyone know, of those mandatory evacuations, where will the people stay? Is the city going to offer free hotels?

The City's set up something like 91 evacuation centers in schools and other public buildings. They'll provide a cot and blanket (complete with City Logo) but the accommodations seem to be dormitory style.

http://gothamist.com/2011/08/26/inside_a_hurricane_irene_hotel_fine.php

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/152235.shtml?gm_track#contents Irene has lost a bit of wind velocity but the barometer is still quite low at 952 millibars so still well into hurricane strength.

I live 50 feet above Narragansett Bay at mean low tide, second floor. That will be enough elevation. Now I just hope the roof stays on the house.

It doesn't do much harm to be hungry for 2 or 3 days ;). Does anyone know, of those mandatory evacuations, where will the people stay? Is the city going to offer free hotels?

Evacuation centers are set up at a number of High Schools, including, Locust Valley H.S., North Shore H.S., Glen Cove H.S., Manhasset H.S., and Great Neck H.S. , among others.

All the attention is on the South Shore, but we almost forgot Bayville, on the North Shore.

Quote:
"Those most directly impacted include residents who live south of Sunrise Highway between the Queens line and Rockville Center, south of Merrick Road from Rockville center to the Suffolk County border and low-lying and storm surge areas on the north shore, including the Port Washington peninsula, East Island and parts Glen Cove, Bayville, Oyster Bay and Oyster Bay Cove..."

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/08/27/nassau-county-residents-evacuating-homes-emergency-shelters-open/

I'm in Teaneck. We've stocked up on everything. One thing I might add: take pics of your rooms in case anything gets damaged. It's easier to show for insurance purposes.
Also, have all your IMPORTANT forms(passport, insurance info, birth cert.) with you or in a safe place.

Be sure to get a good shot of that Pinarello Prince in your living room. (Use Photoshop if necessary).

we're 1600' from the beach and under an evacuation order, but we're about 60' elevation, so we're staying.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/westhavenmusician/PROJECTS/DSC07111.jpg

Got ourselves a cozy spot to ride out the storm...

Just got back from a ride to Battery Park. The city is nice when its deserted like this. Now heading out to find an open restaurant. The worst of the storm won't get here for at least 4 hours. I was amazed to see 2 cruise ships heading out. There was a third one docked at the terminal taking on fuel.

I live 50 feet above Narragansett Bay at mean low tide, second floor. That will be enough elevation. Now I just hope the roof stays on the house.
We (I'm in Tiverton) won't be seeing winds that bad...could cut the power but nothing that threatening.

Just got back from a ride to Battery Park. The city is nice when its deserted like this. Now heading out to find an open restaurant. The worst of the storm won't get here for at least 4 hours. I was amazed to see 2 cruise ships heading out. There was a third one docked at the terminal taking on fuel.
if my commuter hadn't been stolen i was going to go do the same thing. i'm sure the city is absolutely empty now!

Just got back from a ride to Battery Park. The city is nice when its deserted like this. Now heading out to find an open restaurant. The worst of the storm won't get here for at least 4 hours. I was amazed to see 2 cruise ships heading out. There was a third one docked at the terminal taking on fuel.

Must be a very nice ride! Did you see people moving their stuffs, as people there are ordered to evacuate?

I lived in Biloxi, Mississippi during a category 2-3 hurricane about 15 years ago. I watched the storm surge raise the water level in the back bay 20 feet at the apartment complex I lived in at the time. Narragansett Bay, where I live in now, is funnel shaped which means that a storm surge magnifies the flood level well more than might be expected.

The tupperware ice trick is a good one Miss Kenton. I'm freezing some water right now and will lay in some extra food today. I have two kerosene lamps in the event power is lost for several days and a portable radio.

In the 1938 hurricane my parents and grandparents took lots of photos. My grandfather took photos out of the second story of his office in Providence showing the water around five feet deep. My father grew up in Bristol highlands, my mother on the water in Barrington but fairly high on the Rumstick penninsula. My mother her brother and sister were standing at the top of the hill that goes down to Barrington beach. They watched the storm surge water come half way up the hill (Bay Rd.) filled with parts of houses and bodies, from the low land across from Nayatt point. I have lots of photos of Barrington with big boats in roads and yards. Like boats up on top of the Barrington river bridge. And under the bridge was packed with big boats too.

Be careful. I hope you are away from the water and high up.

Must be a very nice ride! Did you see people moving their stuffs, as people there are ordered to evacuate?
No one moving. Some windows taped up. Probably people who were leaving already left. Just got back from a local bar on the UWS that was very crowded. I'm sure there are lots of hurricane parties going on. Getting ready to fire up the blender myself. High tide is around 6am. If I can get up I plan on making my way down to the river.

This is the first Storm I ever went shopping for, just brought chocolate cake, water, and 3 canned goods.

All the supermarkets and drugstores are closed. You must have been to a small local grocery?

If it's not for the rain, I would take a ride today. I saw the almost empty streets with only cabs and a few bikes. NO BUSES. It's a little heaven for riding bicycle, much better than the "summer streets".

Just now the lights flickered, then my computer shut itself off. At 6 AM the wind was moderate but in the last two hours it has stepped up quite a bit with strong gusts. High tide is coinciding with the passage of the storm center to the west. This means wind will push the storm surge in the dangerous quadrant into our area. We seem to be far enough away from the storm center to avoid the worst of the wind but storm surge will raise the tide very high.

Well, Irene has left New Jersey. Reports of our certain doom were greatly exaggerated. I'm not complaining.

The sun is breaking through. I think I'll go for a ride.

The sun is breaking through. I think I'll go for a ride.

Be careful, don't be swiped into river or highway by wind ;)

Irene is now headed out of New York City. Irene was downgraded to a Tropical Storm just minutes after she came ashore at Coney Island, about two and a half hours ago.

Now, for your musical enjoyment, a Traditional Folk Song , sung by Willie Nelson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGd4jkaoHRg

"Goodnight Irene"

Well, Irene has left New Jersey. Reports of our certain doom were greatly exaggerated. I'm not complaining.
I'll take a dud. I said that all day yesterday. Hopefully you all are doing well.

600,000 without power here in CT.

Flooding, trees down. Some have some major cleanup to do.

Doesn't look like too much damage outside, but we haven't ventured out.

I'll take a "dud" also. Considering myself lucky.

Lost power for 7 days when Gloria blew through years ago. Don't want to go through that again.

If anyone is going to ride to Battery Park area or other water front, could you please take some pictures what it's like? Thanks in advance :)

you didn't watch the news? it was lame, water washed up onto the battery and was about 6 inches to 1 foot deep. nothing spectacular and it's probably receded already. Here on the east side we had some light flooding of the fdr and several downed trees on east end avenue. one guys jaguar got a lot of windows busted out from it. otherwise not bad at all. some minor flooding in carl shurz park but appears to be from the excessive rain not from the east river overflowing. I may go try to ride down FDR if it's still empty like it was earlier. definately going for a ride in a little bit, it's quite nice out now, rain stopped around 10am and the wind is helping to dry roads out a bit