I hope you've prepared - Sandy

Hello everyone! First I'm just going to say I hope everyone remains okay and we get through this as quickly as possible. Good, positive energy going out to everyone.

Lets see, I'm 30 mind away from DC. I have admit I'm pretty scared, but trying not to show it since I have a toddler to take care of, and a baby on the way. We've prepared as much as possible at this point. It's a bit weird for my family since we're from Texas, as of a couple months ago. Never been through this before. But there is alot of positive people on here, that are in the area, so that is definatley calming my hormonal nerves. So far just gloom, mist, wind, and a whole lot of cold here. Still watching and will remain watching until Wednesday. Good luck to everyone! Stay safe!

Originally posted by razorman
Has anyone considered what the effect of this storm is on nuclear power plants in the area? I think that is the biggest hazard if you ask me.

Very big hazard.

The nuclear plants in the U.S. are rusted and aged.

today.msnbc.msn.com...

Originally posted by Phenomium

Originally posted by Asktheanimals

Originally posted by Juggernog
reply to post by riverwild

 

Didnt throw mud at anyone.. I just said the hype is ridiculous and it is.

Nobody here is hyping the storm, it just makes sense to be prepared. Some of us have to care for children and elderly parents and to do nothing is unconscionable. You are free to do nothing at all and I hope you're nowhere near where this storm is going to hit, in fact I'd like nothing more than for this storm to turn out to sea and leave us all alone however unlikely that may be.

I've lost a car and a basement full of things to hurricanes that we were told were "nothing to worry about". We got 12" of rain in 6 hours instead.
Live long enough your turn will come too.

Don't ya think this is a bit of hyperbole?

Please do not refer to my beloved 1988 Buick Century as "hyperbole".
Gaston murdered her!

Seriously, this storm is bad because A) the pressure is extremely low in the hurricane eye. B) the cold system moving from the north will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain as well as fuel the hurricane,
Hit me up after the storm and we'll see just how much this storm has been "over-hyped", okay?

Can someone please explain to me, why is it so bad that the barometric pressure is so low in the eye? I read that the wind coming down would be a lot stronger at the eye because the pressure is so low.

We're up here in northern CT.. and after last years ice storm everyone is taking it seriously here.
Last year we lost power for 9.5 days. If we lose it this time it won't be so bad as the temperatures are not as cold.
We're very well prepared though

Isn't it Ironic that last years storm happened the day or 2 before halloween, and this year halloween is on wednesday... Cancelled two years in a row

reply to post by SerenityAva


Good luck and stay safe SerenityAva.

I'm very concerned too. I think I'm ready, but I keep thinking of more things to do. Today I have been making more ice and filling up bags for the freezer. And I filled up some more jugs of water for washing and such, just in case.

All of the schools around here are already closed for the next 2 days. The stores have bare shelves, and everyone is hunkered down. It has been raining off and on today, and the wind picks up for periods. We are supposed to start feeling the outskirts of the storm tonight and tomorrow morning. The eye should go right over us tomorrow night.

I hope everyone near the coast is staying safe. The surges are scarily high, according to video coming in. Since they took the step to evacuate New York's coastal areas, you know it is getting serious.

reply to post by Asktheanimals



Wonder what Juggernog has to say about this "hype" he was so talking about.



I am so sorry. Stay safe, be strong.

reply to post by ujustneverknow


Take my words for it...it will be lame. Period!

Originally posted by Asktheanimals

Originally posted by Phenomium

Originally posted by Asktheanimals

Originally posted by Juggernog
reply to post by riverwild

 

Didnt throw mud at anyone.. I just said the hype is ridiculous and it is.

Nobody here is hyping the storm, it just makes sense to be prepared. Some of us have to care for children and elderly parents and to do nothing is unconscionable. You are free to do nothing at all and I hope you're nowhere near where this storm is going to hit, in fact I'd like nothing more than for this storm to turn out to sea and leave us all alone however unlikely that may be.

I've lost a car and a basement full of things to hurricanes that we were told were "nothing to worry about". We got 12" of rain in 6 hours instead.
Live long enough your turn will come too.

Don't ya think this is a bit of hyperbole?

Please do not refer to my beloved 1988 Buick Century as "hyperbole".
Gaston murdered her!

Seriously, this storm is bad because A) the pressure is extremely low in the hurricane eye. B) the cold system moving from the north will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain as well as fuel the hurricane,
Hit me up after the storm and we'll see just how much this storm has been "over-hyped", okay?

I won't embarrass you by saying I told you so...but just remember what I said..this storm will be nothing more than a lame rain storm with a bit of wind. Wonder why they name all of these hurricanes after women anyway....women can be real Bi+ches I guess. Ivan was an exception but rumors are he has now come out of the closet...so he's an exception.

Well either way there certainly is a lot of hype. I live in philly and the super markets were packed, wal-mart was cleaned out, and all colleges/most businesses are cancelled for the next two days. If I didn't go through the 10 items or less line, I would have been waiting for around two hours in a line looping around the store. I think rain and thunderstorms are very soothing, so i'm hoping something or other comes through. The only people in real trouble are at the jersey shore.

reply to post by LOLZebra


The lower the pressure, the stronger the storm. More like the energetic effects it can have on the water. And what makes this storm so unusual is that it has a lower pressure, and it doesn't even have an eye.

reply to post by nixie_nox


It has an eye, now...

Lets not forget that creating a panic buying situation also boosts the economy and inflates economic figures. We saw this in the UK when an MP went on air in the middle of a fuel strike and urged millions of people to risk their lives in order to create a panic buying situation.

It worked, the economic numbers for that quarter were inflated as a result, even though there was actually no shortage, and the hype was self-perpetuating.

There's an old political saying "Never let a good crisis go to waste". No one is letting this one go to waste, and everyone seems to buying it - along with buying everything on the shelves in their local stores.

Sales figures will look quite rosy as a result of all those generators, torches, tarps, food supplies, water and so on being snapped up on credit cards.

reply to post by Phenomium


Here's a couple of charts to take a gander at -
Maybe you should tell the professionals how silly they look.

Storm surge along coast/

www.accuweather.com

Flood Alerts/

www.accuweather.com

Predicted snowfall totals/

www.weather.com

Predicted Wind Speeds/


To me, it looks like the entire coast from Baltimore to Boston is under the gun for storm surge with high tides causing extensive flooding. Heavy snow and ice along with high winds will wreak havoc from West Virginia to the Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.Severe flooding inland depending on local conditions.

Yes Timmy, it's bad and Lassie can't save us this time.

Be patient for the power to come back, for some of you it will be like time traveling to the 1800's for a while. Make the best of it, help your neighbors and be safe.

Originally posted by detachedindividual
Lets not forget that creating a panic buying situation also boosts the economy and inflates economic figures. We saw this in the UK when an MP went on air in the middle of a fuel strike and urged millions of people to risk their lives in order to create a panic buying situation.

It worked, the economic numbers for that quarter were inflated as a result, even though there was actually no shortage, and the hype was self-perpetuating.

There's an old political saying "Never let a good crisis go to waste". No one is letting this one go to waste, and everyone seems to buying it - along with buying everything on the shelves in their local stores.

Sales figures will look quite rosy as a result of all those generators, torches, tarps, food supplies, water and so on being snapped up on credit cards.

After the storm is where the money comes into play.
Roofs have to be repaired or replaced and so on.
Insurance companies will be paying out the ass because of this and everyone will eventually share the burden.
But the local constructor will make a good paycheck or two.
The guy who has been out of work for awhile will have a job.

Originally posted by Asktheanimals
Do you have?:
Flashlights
Candles
Batteries
Lamp oil
propane
Ice
Medications
Food
Water
generator/fuel
cards/books/games - no internet!!

Something else occurred to me, and this thread is getting long, which is a good thing for people. But, after Katrina the area where I lived had no power for 3 weeks. People need to make sure they have cash on hand for the aftermath of the storm. If you need to go to the store for anything before the power is put back on, stores will only be able to accept cash!

Originally posted by LOLZebra
Can someone please explain to me, why is it so bad that the barometric pressure is so low in the eye? I read that the wind coming down would be a lot stronger at the eye because the pressure is so low.

Low pressure means high water surge. Low pressure storms are common in Florida, but are uncommon in the north, so property will be flooded/blown over that weren't damaged in previous storms. Low pressure also means widespread high winds, so damage won't be constrained to a narrow path, or in other words, 'it's a big storm'.

Here in Eastern PA it has been raining heavily all night, and the wind is picking up.

Sometimes the worst brings out the best in others. One of the local gyms has offered their showers and restrooms to anyone who does not have power, 24x7, as long as they have power, whether people are members or not. The local animal shelters are accepting any pets of those who need to go to shelters or evacuate.

Originally posted by LiberLegit
I live in philly ...

And I'd like to know why the Weather Channel keeps talking about NYC with this thing, but keeps neglecting to talk about the fact that the eye of the storm will pass right over Philly/Wilmington DE. I think that's very, very odd. I understand the worst part of the storm is always to the North and East of the eye ... but still .. I find it strange that they are neglecting this ...


Anyways .. (we are in Wilmington DE) ... I hope the power stays on. A lot of people need their sump pumps to be working for all this rain. A lot of others (myself included) need the fridge for special diet needs (autoimmune diet) and refridgerated medications. So I hope they are wrong about the wind and that the power stays on.

(** side note - Fire whistle just went off in town .. I can hear it ... I feel bad for those fire fighters!)

As for 'preparing' .... we are kinda 'preppers' anyways. Not hog wild with it, but I'd say more prepared than most neighbors. We just got some extra water; already had canned and dry food goods; I did all the housework and laundry and dishes in case the power is out; pulled both cars up closer to the house; and we 'sandbagged' in the back yard because of the high rain expected and we get flooding in the basement so that should help. We also put new batteries in the short wave. We did 'the usual' that anyone watching this thing should do.

Originally posted by Phenomium
reply to post by ujustneverknow

 

Take my words for it...it will be lame. Period!

The hurricane has strengthened and now has 85 mph winds and is expected to get stronger before hitting land. The pressure dropped to 948 mb, something unlike we have ever seen, which surpasses the 1938 storm. Low pressure like that means high storm surge and NYC has a harbor with no place for the water to go.

Take my words for it...that is NOT lame.

Y'all stay safe out there!!