Hurricane Irene victims -- check in here!

Thanks for the well wishes.

Just a lot of rain so far (bucketfuls) in North Jersey. Barely any wind, though, so far.

 

Hey did that lady friend stay over?

I think it's time for a toast...to blackouts.

 

Just heavy rain here in New York. I think the worst of it will be tomorrow morning around 10:00 am. I hope I do not wake up to no power!

 

It's gotta feel weird to have the subway system down. First time in history! Here's hoping the tunnels don't get damaged. Those trains are real workhorses and NY would be lost without 'em!

 

I saw on the news last night that some people were refusing to leave because they thought their homes were strong enough. What happens when they are stuck and need help? Are people going to have to rescue them?

 

Not until it's safe to do so. The National Guard and Federal Forces have rescue helicopters ready but they're not going anywhere until the weather clears.

 

Yeah, but why bother rescuing them at all? If the order is given to evacuate, then you should obey that order, and not ignore it. If you are harmed as a result of your refusal to obey an order, you should suffer the consequences.

I don't get some people.

 

I remember this happening b/f - people refusing to leave, some decide to stay and have a "Hurricane party".....

Personally, I think those people in harm's way should be given only 2 warnings to evacuate and told "If you don't leave and find yourself in trouble, you're on your own - no one is going to risk their lives to come back and rescue you!" And stick to it........

Same thing w/the idiot mountain climbers out here. Many are dumb emuf to decide to climb Mt. Hood during the winter months, some don't register at the ranger's station, don't have the right equipment, etc..... they get lost, caught in a white out, etc etc...... all kinds of bad things can happen on a mountain and rescuers have to be sent up to find the half-frozen idiots.... I think if they have to be rescued b/c of their own stupidity, they should pay the astronomical bill....

Several yrs ago 3 men went up during the winter and these guys were experienced & were well equipped ...... they didn't make it back down alive...

 

The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze.

I remember the Black Saturday bushfires. I read a story in the paper one woman wrote about a man who was right in the path of the fire and he refused to leave, saying the fire would 'never get him'. He sat on his front porch and didn't move. Everyone else around him fled. He got burned to a crisp.

About a year ago we had a severe storm. People decided a storm was the perfect time to go surfing.

When the fires first hit, I could see the smoke from my back window. I had a bag packed and the sinks full of water. The fire was about 20 minutes away and maybe I overreacted, but it was better to be prepared. I was ready to flee if I had to, whereas some other simply saw the flames and had this ridiculous notion that the fire wouldn't touch them.

 

Nah, she stayed in the city.

Things are fine here in North Jersey (so far). Hoping it stays like this.

 

most of us were very lucky. It helps if you live inland. We had some minor flooding here and that's it. I just got up, so I don't know how the rest of the east coast did. I have seen some REALLY serious storms, so I was prepared. I hope the fact that this one was not as serious as it could have been doesn't make people over-confident when the next one comes. I think if the winds had been only 10-15% stronger, things might have been interesting.

I think federal, state, and local governments did a very good job of preparing. I would rather be prepared and not need to be THAT prepared than need things when it's too late to get them. A lot of the emergency preparedness stuff is stuff that doesn't spoil & will be good for years. For example, about 20 years ago, I was one of the first aid people where I worked & I put together a bag - bandages & etc. I still have it & I've used it, thank goodness rarely.

At least one of the feral cats who live in my yard seems to have made it. It's time to feed them, so soon enough I'll see if the other two are OK. If I'm late with the food, they sit in the driveway & glare at me.

Hope everyone is OK & thanks for the kind words.

 

they're not feral-they have you trained.

 

Isn't that the truth.

All three made it & are now chowing down out by the garage. I can't really call them pets because they won't let me too near them. Still, I like them.

People tend to forget taking care of animals under normal conditions. In situations like Irene, they are more neglected. If I am physically able, I set out food for them &, in the fall, set out home-made shelters for the winter. These are easy enough to make. The best one I have is simply two shipping flats - those wooden frames you see all the time. I set one down, put cinder blocks on the outside edges (leaving two spaces for entrances), add straw, set the other on top, & cover the whole shebang with a tarp. Since I scrounge the flats & have spare cinder blocks & a few old tarps, the only expense is the straw ($7.00 for a bale). Actually, anything that will keep the rain out & that can be filled with straw will serve. Also, I keep about 1/3 of the yard undeveloped (underbrush & etc) & that gives the animals a place to live.

I also have about 3-4 raccoons who consider my yard their own fast-food joint. Add a fox or two, a possum, & a woodchuck.

I also set out bird seed for the birds. I had a neighbor (actually, this idiot lived about a block away) who complained about my feeding the birds because some birds had crapped on his car. I provided him with some spiritual direction & suggested that he bring his car over & I would provide the same windshield service. Haven't heard from him since.

I realize that this is not exactly hurricane-related, but I decided to get on my soap box on the subject of taking care of the animals. It doesn't cost much, is the right thing to do, & is entertaining - they can be fun to watch.

 

OOOHHHH STOP ALLREADY WITH THIS STORM.

It was so over-dramatized and over built. It is Sickening.

A catagory 1 Hurricane is no big deal. In fact all, and any of those areas affected by it, needed a good power washing.

Pollution at it's finnest.

 

LOL, it's always over-dramatized if your state isn't involved!

Good to see everyone seems to have come thru it OK... but there are still lots of folks we haven't heard from yet. Once the flood waters recede, we'll get a look at the real damage.

Mak, about those people who refuse to leave... that's exactly what happened in New Orleans. In the eyes of the public, they became the poor, helpless victims and the mean ole federal govt the villian. It's amazing how our outlook on keeping people safe changes depending on who's in the white house, eh?

 

it tracked inland , I am pissed cause I put all my lawn furniture away !!!

 

you were going to do it soon anyways.

 

OHMYGOSH TRINN. We are being advised by our benevolent federal government to stay in Our homes so that the authorities can clear the roads. THEy AIN"T NUTHIN IN THE ROADS!!


'gosh. what a beautiful day. we so needed that rain. The people in Joplin Missouri must be scratching their heads at this east coast hype.

 

I take it that you can see all the roads?

 

All the roads up to new england! It's really a wonderful skill.
My buddies in NE have trees down in their streets. But I'm sure they're wrong about it. THARRR AINT NUTTIN IN DEM RUUUDS. Haha

 

Here's one world famous definite victim!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qRJeIhW89s"]Hurricane Irene Reporter Gets Covered In Sea Foam And Sewage - 8/27/11 - YouTube[/ame]


Raw sewage foam....eeeewwww!

 

No kiddin! Those poor reporters really earned their money. Gotta admit, I do like to see live feeds of what's going on and having a person there makes it more real than just watching a vid. Hope that reporter gets a bonus for going above & beyond!!!

 

At the same though, it makes you wonder who made them go out into danger and report. I've seen reporters standing in the middle of a road, rain bucketing down, and they are almost blown away by the winds. I wonder if they choose to report from that spot or does the network demand it?

 

They'll be hoping for a little bit more rain to get that off the hotel fronts...

I hope you all are ok.