East coast hurricane

[catshem]

We're are going to get hit by the eye wall. Not good. What's worse is just about everyone I know is like "Why you freaking out? we'll live." And I'm like "REALLY!? DO YOU KNOW THAT! WHERE'S YOUR CRYSTAL BALL TO TELL ME THIS?"
All of Jersey is covered in the "EXTREME" warning and the eye is passing over us, how the heck can you tell me that we'll be okay? Jersey does not get hurricanes like this, we don't build our homes to withstand hurricane winds. I'll be lucky if a tree doesn't fall on our house and kill us. /rage
(sorry, it's been aggravating me all day)

[kurosu.chan]

I was thinking that too, though...isn't it unusual for hurricanes to be so far north? I'm no meteorologist, though, so I figured, "hey, what do I know about it?" I thought I was missing something important...

[Lexagon]

Nope, hurricanes usually don't hit far north, this is the first time that an eye will make contact with land in Jersey since 1903. Usually they pass over land we get the remnants usually just the rain, but this one pulled away from Florida which usually gets hit, and strengthened then continued moving up the coast. My brother and his fiances are at the Outer Banks and they've been trying to evacuate all day.

At 6 in the morning the traffic was already backed up 8 miles and they've still got no where to go since Jersey is pretty much the same.
The safest thing right now Cat, would be to pack up and leave, especially because of your location. We're supposed to have 70mph+ winds, I wouldn't risk it.

[catshem]

I was thinking that too, though...isn't it unusual for hurricanes to be so far north? I'm no meteorologist, though, so I figured, "hey, what do I know about it?" I thought I was missing something important...

It has happened before, but not when I was alive. I think it was in the 50s where a HUrricane came up the coast like this.

[Mary Kathryn]

Don't want to scare anyone but the Weather Channel just dispatched Jim Cantore to NYC. He has a...knack for ending up in the middle of things. Stay updated, follow your local authorities advisories, and evacuate if they tell you to. Just leave. Pack up the kids, the furkids and get out.
If you're on Twitter search for "Irene" and there is a lot of info out there and you can hook up with info tweets from your local area.
And if you think this storm isn't serious may I present this picture of a shark swimming up a flooded street in Puerto Rico.

Oh, and also Storm 2K is a really awesome hurricane resource as well.

[catshem]

Nope, hurricanes usually don't hit far north, this is the first time that an eye will make contact with land in Jersey since 1903. Usually they pass over land we get the remnants usually just the rain, but this one pulled away from Florida which usually gets hit, and strengthened then continued moving up the coast. My brother and his fiances are at the Outer Banks and they've been trying to evacuate all day.

At 6 in the morning the traffic was already backed up 8 miles and they've still got no where to go since Jersey is pretty much the same.
The safest thing right now Cat, would be to pack up and leave, especially because of your location. We're supposed to have 70mph+ winds, I wouldn't risk it.

I'll talk to my husband. I don't want to leave my family behind though, they're in the same location as we are. I want us all to pack up and head out of range.

[Lexagon]

Also, if you don't have anywhere to go, I would suggest a shelter at least. Most are letting people bring their animals as well, so if you have animals that wouldn't be a problem.

At least there you'd have electricity, they'd have generators. I understand though, be safe!

[catshem]

Also, if you don't have anywhere to go, I would suggest a shelter at least. Most are letting people bring their animals as well, so if you have animals that wouldn't be a problem.

At least there you'd have electricity, they'd have generators. I understand though, be safe!

I'm going to look it up but the last we checked, our state hasn't done much of ANYTHING except declare a state of emergency.

[KatyaR]

Nope, hurricanes usually don't hit far north, this is the first time that an eye will make contact with land in Jersey since 1903. Usually they pass over land we get the remnants usually just the rain, but this one pulled away from Florida which usually gets hit, and strengthened then continued moving up the coast. My brother and his fiances are at the Outer Banks and they've been trying to evacuate all day.

At 6 in the morning the traffic was already backed up 8 miles and they've still got no where to go since Jersey is pretty much the same.
The safest thing right now Cat, would be to pack up and leave, especially because of your location. We're supposed to have 70mph+ winds, I wouldn't risk it.

I'll talk to my husband. I don't want to leave my family behind though, they're in the same location as we are. I want us all to pack up and head out of range.

I know you're worried for your family, but I don't want to think of you staying in a dangerous position because the others won't go to safety. Maybe if you start talking about evacuation, they'll start considering the idea.

Be safe, everyone. I know it's already been said, but please don't try to ride it out. Bless you all, and take care.

[embyquinn]

As a resident of the central Gulf Coast, I have survived a number of hurricanes over the years, from Betsy to Camille to Frederic to Ivan to Katrina. I know what they are, I know what they can do, and I know they're pretty damn scary. Here are some basic tips, by no means all-inclusive, but I literally grew up in Hurricane Central, so I have some knowledge of these things.

First thing: Be sure any vehicle you're using has a full tank of gas, or as close to full as you can get it. Do it right now if you're in an area threatened by the storm. Also fill any prescriptions you or your family members might need in the next few weeks. Try to have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand. You can buy them at any drug store or Wal-Mart.

If you live within a mile or so of a coastline, GET OUT. Head inland, as far as you can manage. If you have nowhere else to go, go to a public shelter. When you go to the shelter, be sure to take at least two changes of clothes, medications, and diversions for each family member--books, games, laptops, and such. If you have sleeping bags, take those too. Shelters can sometimes get overcrowded. Take a few snacks and bottled water as well. Shelters are supposed to feed you, but the Hilton it ain't.

If you decide to stay at home, put up storm shutters over the windows or board them up from the outside with plywood. It's imperative that you protect the windows in some way, because hurricane-force-driven objects are NO. FUN. Also, stock up on non-perishable food that requires no cooking, and be sure to have lots of water on hand, for washing up as well as for drinking. Fill your bathtub and as many two-liter soda bottles as you can get your hands on. Get alternative light sources such as battery-powered lamps. Candles work in a pinch, but they're dangerous as long-term light sources. (I actually set my hair on fire with one post-Frederic while trying to wash dishes after dinner.) Have a battery-powered radio handy too. Don't depend on the Internet--service could be interrupted.

Most importantly: no matter how determined you are to stay put, if a mandatory evacuation is ordered for your area, GO. Don't make me come up there.

For those who have never been in a hurricane, there's a great guide on the NOAA website:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/di ... tion.shtml