Hurricane Irene...

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 4:24 pm

Well, hurricane Irene should be arriving tomorrow, and it's supposed to be a whopper!!!

They've just ordered a mandatory evacuation for all living along the coast. We have to leave the island by tomorrow before 9 A.M.

I hope my home will be in one piece upon return.

Best of luck to any one in her path.

Hurricane Irene 2011 Path: Where Is The Storm Going? (MAPS)

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 4:31 pm

Be safe

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 4:41 pm

Lon;1367251 wrote: Be safe

Thanks Lon...I will...

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 4:55 pm

KE just take all your important papers, jewlery, laptop, medications, anything that can't be replaced you have insurance for the rest. Be safe and keep us updated.

Mustang · Post by **Mustang** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:12 pm

Yes, the way the reports looks, it's coming your way. You're in my thoughts Kathy Ellen! Stay safe and I hope that your home doesn't sustain damage.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:55 pm

Thanks so much Carla and Mustang.

Yes, Carla I am packing those things and you reminded me to take my passport also.

It's very scary to be evacuated...never happened before. Almost everyone is taking it seriously. My neighbors decided to stay. I don't think they'll be able to. Think police will be knocking on doors tomorrow and will escort them out. That's crazy that you would stay...???????? My life is more impt.

A few friends and I rented a few rooms in a hotel about 6 miles from here. No sense in going any further as all of NJ + the whole eastern coast are vunerable.

Hotel is nice...pool...jacuzzi, exercise room, 2 restaurants with entertainment. It will be like a wee holiday.

Of course I'm taking my computer.

Check in with you all soon.

Cheers,

Kathy xx

Post by **LarsMac** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:42 pm

IT's not really a big storm so your house will likely be safe.

And it looks like it may track further east.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 5:54 am

Good for you moving inland. I got the food in this morning before the crowds, and we are waiting to see if there is school on Monday.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:21 am

Irene reported on the BBC as hitting North Carolina with winds of 85 mph, taking down power lines, but nothing worse than that yet. Very unpredictable things, hurricanes, but if it does just track north, it should die down as it goes. My understanding is that they draw their power from the sea, and once they hit land they lose power the way a top slows down when you stop spinning it.

Perhaps the greatest concern farther north is storm surge? It is still, after all, a very big storm. Given these things often end up hitting our islands, I am still watching it with some personal concern.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 8:20 am

Kathy Ellen;1367250 wrote: Well, hurricane Irene should be arriving tomorrow, and it's supposed to be a whopper!!!

They've just ordered a mandatory evacuation for all living along the coast. We have to leave the island by tomorrow before 9 A.M.

I hope my home will be in one piece upon return.

Best of luck to any one in her path.

Hurricane Irene 2011 Path: Where Is The Storm Going? (MAPS)

Kathy, you were the first one I thought of when I saw this on TV.

Make sure you stay safe.... things can be replaced... you can't.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:33 pm

Stay safe all you guys in its path :-4

Post by **spot** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 3:27 pm

Kathy Ellen;1367250 wrote: They've just ordered a mandatory evacuation for all living along the coast.When you get back, Kathy, perhaps you could explain that bit.

You're saying it's against the law to remain in an evacuated area until the all-clear is sounded?

What sort of police state do you live in?

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 4:51 pm

The storm is not here yet, but it's absolutely lashing out...

I think it will weaken a bit before landfall, but I know that we'll have flooding. I live between the bay and ocean...9ft. above the H20 table. Hope my sump pumps work well.

It's amazing...They've basically close down access to shore areas in NJ and Manhattan. NJ Parkway is closed from exit 98 and down...they're trying to stop peeps from coming down the shore. The parkway was backed up for miles and miles last night. Friends who tried to make it home gave up, got off the parkway and stayed at a near-by hotel. Btw...the NJ Parkways is our main artery through all of NJ.

People just amaze me...this morning surfers were out surfing and many, many people did not board up their beautiful homes that faced the ocean. Jeez...

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 5:07 pm

spot;1367319 wrote: When you get back, Kathy, perhaps you could explain that bit.

You're saying it's against the law to remain in an evacuated area until the all-clear is sounded?

What sort of police state do you live in?

Actually, no, the state cannot make you move out of your home. But, they throw scare tactics at you to make you move during an emergency.

A mandatory evacuation means that the governor and/or USA president want you out of the dangerous areas. They let you know ahead of time that you have a certain amount of time to gather your important belongings, batten down the hatches, and then leave for higher, safer grounds.

If you chose not to leave your home during a mandatory evacuation, then you are on your own. If the police can help you they will, but there's little that they can do. If you chose to stay then you have to realize that there's no storm centers for you to go to, no food or water, access to the hospital, maybe no electricity and maybe your home will be flooded or destroyed.

They've closed all access to and from the barrier island that I live on. You're stuck on the island and have to deal with it.

Only one family stayed on my block. They bought a generator in case the electric goes out. I hope they're ok.

Me, I left and am enjoying some nice amenities in a hotel that's on higher ground. Hopefully I can return home on Monday after the storm passes.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 5:26 pm

I am sooo relieved that you didn't stay home. Let us know how things are when you do return home. My prayers to all in its path.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:38 pm

Peg;1367322 wrote: I am sooo relieved that you didn't stay home. Let us know how things are when you do return home. My prayers to all in its path.

Ahhhh, thanks Peg,

I'm glad that I left also...better safe than sorry I always say!

Hopefully, I'll return on Monday or maybe even Sun. night if we're allowed to return. The police said that we could return 4 hours after the storm to check on our property if it's not dangerous there.

The storm is still not here yet but will be in a few hours, and it's lashing rain and wind here now.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:38 pm

I hope you order room service and have a grand time! I think my daughter will get that tomorrow night, she's supposed to fly back in home. I don't know if BWI will reopen or at what time.

Winds are about 50 mph here, gusts over 60. Rain, falling sideways in the gusts. You just stay off the streets, I got my ebook filled with books to read, and will putter at home tomorrow-no church, no 'nuttin', everything is cancelled here.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:58 pm

chonsigirl;1367329 wrote: I hope you order room service and have a grand time! I think my daughter will get that tomorrow night, she's supposed to fly back in home. I don't know if BWI will reopen or at what time.

Winds are about 50 mph here, gusts over 60. Rain, falling sideways in the gusts. You just stay off the streets, I got my ebook filled with books to read, and will putter at home tomorrow-no church, no 'nuttin', everything is cancelled here.

Good for you Chonsi...Have a day of rest. Wow, you start school on Monday, eh...Don't know if your area will be up for it.

We don't start until Thurs. I'm not even sure if we'll begin...Depends how badly our district is affected. I think we will begin though as the kidlets don't begin until Monday the 5th. We have 2 days of workshops with our new writing programs and yada... yada...

Best wishes for a great year Chosi. I can't wait to meet the kidlets...Heard that I have a lovely class...so excited!!!

littleCJelkton · Post by **littleCJelkton** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 7:51 pm

Irene is brushing us by now I just drove through it to and back home from work just wave after wave of rain.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 7:57 pm

littleCJelkton;1367334 wrote: Irene is brushing us by now I just drove through it to and back home from work just wave after wave of rain.

Good CJ...I'm glad that's it's passing you, and hope that it did not do much damage to your area. It's headed our way in Noo Joisey...Hope all goes well. I'm worried about flooding.

littleCJelkton · Post by **littleCJelkton** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 8:04 pm

Kathy Ellen;1367335 wrote: Good CJ...I'm glad that's it's passing you, and hope that it did not do much damage to your area. It's headed our way in Noo Joisey...Hope all goes well. I'm worried about flooding.

yeah I heard it was supposed to ride the NJ coast all the way up to New York

Post by **spot** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 10:58 pm

Kathy Ellen;1367321 wrote: Actually, no, the state cannot make you move out of your home. But, they throw scare tactics at you to make you move during an emergency.

A mandatory evacuation means that the governor and/or USA president want you out of the dangerous areas. They let you know ahead of time that you have a certain amount of time to gather your important belongings, batten down the hatches, and then leave for higher, safer grounds.

If you chose not to leave your home during a mandatory evacuation, then you are on your own. If the police can help you they will, but there's little that they can do.

I think perhaps you're wrong.

So, a person who fails to evacuate is committing a crime and subject to arrest—meaning the police can seize their person and take them elsewhere, that is, evacuate them. This argument has been raised and implicitly accepted by the Louisiana courts in several of the lawsuits filed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, wherein several authorities have been sued for false arrest, wrongful imprisonment and civil rights violations in the course of enforcing the various mandatory evacuation orders

Fight or Flight: On Enforcing Mandatory Evacuations

It seems to me that a mandatory evacuation order authorizes the police to treat everyone on the streets as a perpetrator liable to arrest regardless of his behavior. It changes the rules of engagement. Anyone subsequently asking the basis for initiating an arrest can be told a misdemeanor had already been committed.

When Michael Bloomberg says failing to evacuate is technically punishable by a $500 fine or 90 days in jail but that nobody's going to be arrested or jailed I think he's giving a fact first and a local political decision second. The illegality seems fairly clear.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 2:58 am

littleCJelkton;1367337 wrote: yeah I heard it was supposed to ride the NJ coast all the way up to New York

CJ, how are you up there? Love sleeping in-all the phones are going off in the house as they are turned on! Yup, that was me in G.B. with no power, got it now!

Kathy, they say it going to land in NJ, you stay in that hotel nice and safe!

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 3:28 am

Irene has already hit North Carolina and Virginia, causing damage and the deaths of at least eight people.

The eye of the storm, packing winds up to 75mph (120km/h), is due to hit New York in the next few hours.

The storm has weakened to a category-one hurricane since it came ashore but is still expected to be destructive.

About two million people have been left without power as the 500-mile-wide (800km) storm barrelled up the east coast.

The same number have moved out of the danger zone, most from New Jersey.

At 05:00 (09:00 GMT) the hurricane was moving along the New Jersey shore, about 115 miles south of New York City, having weakened slightly, the National Hurricane Center reported.

What I'm not seeing at the moment is any news of storm surges, which surprises me with so large a storm. Don't think you'll be going home til Monday, Kathy!

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 4:43 am

Just heard first storm surge prediction for New York area: estimates vary between four and eight feet.

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 4:49 am

i have boys who have a cousin over there at the mo .....they are worried for her ...she's in New York .....they would appreciate some home info if that's okay ?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:05 am

New York-eye of the storm is getting ready in a bit to go over there. It is over Atlantic City right now. It is still a category 1 storm, 75 mph winds right now there. Rains along shoreline were 12" here-is the cousin near the shore or in New York City itself? If in the city, they were either evacuated last night, or everything was shut down and they are in hotels, shelters or in a safe and secure location.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:12 am

Looking at the BBC live in New York. It's raining but there seems virtually NO wind at this moment. They are saying storm surges of between four and eight feet have been reported from Delaware to Massachusetts. They expect the worst to hit New York in the next hour or two. Windspeeds between 75 and 80 mph.

Mustang · Post by **Mustang** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:53 am

spot;1367343 wrote: I think perhaps you're wrong.

So, a person who fails to evacuate is committing a crime and subject to arrest—meaning the police can seize their person and take them elsewhere, that is, evacuate them. This argument has been raised and implicitly accepted by the Louisiana courts in several of the lawsuits filed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, wherein several authorities have been sued for false arrest, wrongful imprisonment and civil rights violations in the course of enforcing the various mandatory evacuation orders

Fight or Flight: On Enforcing Mandatory Evacuations

It seems to me that a mandatory evacuation order authorizes the police to treat everyone on the streets as a perpetrator liable to arrest regardless of his behavior. It changes the rules of engagement. Anyone subsequently asking the basis for initiating an arrest can be told a misdemeanor had already been committed.

When Michael Bloomberg says failing to evacuate is technically punishable by a $500 fine or 90 days in jail but that nobody's going to be arrested or jailed I think he's giving a fact first and a local political decision second. The illegality seems fairly clear.

From your link:

Every state provides specific statutory authority to its Governor to take emergency actions during an attack or disaster.

From watching live news reports during this storm Spot, State Governor's made live news announcements that there were manditory evacuations. Those that chose not to leave, were told not to call for any kind of help because they didn't want to put their emergency responders in harms way. That, more or less, if you stayed, you were on your own.

Also, some police did go door to door asking for people to evacuate. When they refused, they asked them to sign a waiver and write their personal information and next of kin on the paperwork.

I haven't heard or read about one arrest made for not evacuating during this storm.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:57 am

Mustang;1367370 wrote:

I haven't heard or read about one arrest made for not evacuating during this storm.

Everyone has been calm, no arrests because of remaining in a storm area, and no mischief either. Silly young ones playing hackey sack on the streets last night, but hey, they are young and silly.

Maryland governor had been on TV every hour yesterday, with current updates. Those who choose not to leave, it is as Mustang says, they sign a waiver. Some phone lines were taken done or blown down, only leaving emergency calls to go in and out. They did the same thing during the earthquake-text and net still worked on phones, amazing.

Scrat · Post by **Scrat** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 7:20 am

Good luck KE. Living on a barrier island can be iffy in even a small storm considering those little dots are sometimes little higher than the waves. As for the mandatory evacuations inland it seems a little over the top to me.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:05 pm

Scrat;1367376 wrote: Good luck KE. Living on a barrier island can be iffy in even a small storm considering those little dots are sometimes little higher than the waves. As for the mandatory evacuations inland it seems a little over the top to me.

Thanks Scrat. Evacuations inland in my area are usually along a river that's already swollen. A lot of the streets are flooded there.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:12 pm

Well, they still won't let us back on the island and I'm really panicking right now. I just want to be home to see what damage was done to my home.

I did drive by the entrance ramp to see if I could enter my town, but all entrances were blocked by work trucks and police cars.

The hotel we're staying at is nice and safe, but they're running out of certain foods....oy vey...we're just bored here and need to do things at home.

It's pouring out again and extremely wind. When I drove across the bridge, my car was shaking....lol

~~~~~mega sigh~~~~~

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:39 pm

Stay nice and safe, it will pass when it passes. The sun is out here.

Took a walk around the neighborhood, just alot of debris on the roads, still waiting to see if there is school tomorrow. Checked the house, we figured the leak last night was at the bottom of the window, and the winds were so strong it still could blow in that rain! But it wasn't the roof or siding, it still looks fine.

littleCJelkton · Post by **littleCJelkton** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 2:08 pm

chonsigirl;1367352 wrote: CJ, how are you up there? Love sleeping in-all the phones are going off in the house as they are turned on! Yup, that was me in G.B. with no power, got it now!

Kathy, they say it going to land in NJ, you stay in that hotel nice and safe!

we kept our power all night amazingly despite the constant rain and wind it is all nice and sunny now. I say the winds had to be between 40-50 MPH most of the night and usually we loose power, I am suprised we didn't

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 3:03 pm

chonsigirl;1367398 wrote: Stay nice and safe, it will pass when it passes. The sun is out here.

Took a walk around the neighborhood, just alot of debris on the roads, still waiting to see if there is school tomorrow. Checked the house, we figured the leak last night was at the bottom of the window, and the winds were so strong it still could blow in that rain! But it wasn't the roof or siding, it still looks fine.

Sun finally came out here too Chonsi and the rain has finally left.

Good, I'm glad all is well with your area.:-6

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 4:21 pm

Good to know it all blew over without too much damage and you are OK Caff........

Far too macho and English to wish you well before hand.......

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 4:44 pm

Bruv;1367413 wrote: Good to know it all blew over without too much damage and you are OK Caff........

Far too macho and English to wish you well before hand.......

Say WOOT....Caff? LOL

Thanks Bruv. Unfortunately, I can't get back on the island yet, so I'm not sure if my house is still standing. Hoping to return tomorrow...fingers and toes crossed!!

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:24 pm

No school tomorrow, an extra day of summer vacation for me! And we can't go in either-even though my school has electricity. Alot of schools do not.

The kids were out riding their bikes and flying kites when the sun came out, it was delightful to see.

I hope everything is fine on the island on your return tomorrow, Kathy.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:34 pm

chonsigirl;1367418 wrote: No school tomorrow, an extra day of summer vacation for me! And we can't go in either-even though my school has electricity. Alot of schools do not.

The kids were out riding their bikes and flying kites when the sun came out, it was delightful to see.

I hope everything is fine on the island on your return tomorrow, Kathy.

Ahhhh Chonsi...that's wonderful....summer days are still here.

Thanks about my island. I'm hoping for the best...fingers crossed!!

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:46 pm

chonsigirl;1367366 wrote: New York-eye of the storm is getting ready in a bit to go over there. It is over Atlantic City right now. It is still a category 1 storm, 75 mph winds right now there. Rains along shoreline were 12" here-is the cousin near the shore or in New York City itself? If in the city, they were either evacuated last night, or everything was shut down and they are in hotels, shelters or in a safe and secure location.

Thanks Chonsi I apprectiate that . Could someone tell me what a 'sub basement' is please?

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:49 pm

Btw I hope you are all safe ....you guys gave me some wonderful feelings during our fires ....it's time to return the sentiment . If anyone needs anything just give me a hoy!!! i can round up some stuff to send over .

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 6:03 pm

Is anyone else waiting to see a stupid reporter standing in the midst of it to tell us "there's a wind ablowin"?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:03 am

fuzzywuzzy;1367420 wrote: Thanks Chonsi I apprectiate that . Could someone tell me what a 'sub basement' is please?

A basement below the basement, multiple levels underground.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:04 am

fuzzywuzzy;1367424 wrote: Is anyone else waiting to see a stupid reporter standing in the midst of it to tell us "there's a wind ablowin"?

There were plenty of them, like get inside, we know that 'thar wind is blowing.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:56 am

CNN had said that people needed to evacuate and then said to keep the pictures coming. LOL I'm thinking if I'm in so much danger I need to evacuate, I'm not stopping to take pics.

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:07 am

chonsigirl;1367450 wrote: A basement below the basement, multiple levels underground.

ahh thanks shall tell the boys .

keesy is freaking out thinking his cousin is about to die .......(i really need to keep him away from the telly.)

sounds right they are in an apartment building or something . Tah, thanks for that chonsi.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:07 am

They take them with cell phones anyway-but the news also suggested posting them to facebook and stuff like that. You are right Peg, why stop and fiddle with gadgets, as a big old tree limb is headed your way in the wind!

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:09 am

fuzzywuzzy;1367457 wrote: ahh thanks shall tell the boys .

keesy is freaking out thinking his cousin is about to die .......(i really need to keep him away from the telly.)

sounds right they are in an apartment building or something . Tah, thanks for that chonsi.

Tell the boys it is very safe down there, no windows to break, thick sturdy walls. By now the cousin is probably back upstairs since the storm is pretty much gone. Phone service might not work, that is sporadic again today.

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:12 am

she's the nanny I'm pretty sure they sent her up first lol lol lol

last week she found a severed foot on the footpath .....oh dear her week is not good lol

sidewalk sorry