My parents, who live on a barrier island on the NJ coast, were evacuated. Christie ordered the gas lines on my parents' island turned off at six o'clock last night--a full thirty hours before the area is even supposed to be hit. And because my parents' safe house--my aunt and uncle's home in Atlantic County--requires parkway driving, they had to leave last night because Christie closed the parkway south of Exit 98 at 8pm last night. If this storm doesn't turn out to be exactly what they are predicting, I hope that Christie's hysteria-and-fear-mongering and bully tactics are used against him to the fullest extent when he runs of re-election.
Christie was smart in closing the SB side of the Parkway from 98 on down. There are idjits who would actually be driving down to "see" the storm.
NB side was open, obviously.
Our fingerprints don't fade from the lives we touch.
Puppies are babies in fur coats.
Tinfoil...The Terrorizing Terminator
But then there are people, like my parents, who would not be able to get to their safe place because it is only accessible via the parkway. There are areas of Atlantic County (like where my parents are going, in Galloway) that are not supposed to be dangerously affected and that aren't accessible via Route 9.
The NYTimes Hurricane Tracker is showing Irene downgrading to a tropical storm by the time it gets here:
NYTimes Hurricane Tracker
I overheard this about an hour ago waiting on line @ CVS.
The topic was Irene & one woman actually said " They are making such a big deal out of this. I bet nothing comes out of all of this"
I want what she is smoking
Okay, here's the thing regarding the idea that the state, city and individual citizens are overreacting to Irene:
Yeah, we are. And this is a good thing.
I grew up just between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and lived there up until a month ago, when I relocated here. Hurricane warnings were, obviously, a much more regular thing, but they were treated with the same level of caution, overshopping, hyperforecasting, etc. as we are currently experiencing. Every time.
The thing is, we all knew in our heart of hearts that calling off school, shutting down roads, stocking up on water and canned goods, etc. was probably going to be over the top. The storm would blow over, go back out to sea, whatevs--we'd recover from our hurricane party hangovers and get on with our lives. We also knew, in our heart of hearts, that the friend who evacuated NOLA to stay with us might not have a home to go back to, or that everything that once constituted your home could possibly end in any given part of a 5 mile radius.
So with that, you have to have a certain suspension of inconvenience, laugh, and just go with it--not only for the fact that it's likely all for naught, but the fact that the laugh could be all you have coming out of this thing. (A philosophy I would myself have deemed overdramatic pre-Katrina).
Apologies for the rambling, it's just a little disconcerting to see hurricane newbies angered by what, in reality, is so far a very well-executed storm prep. Again, I realize that this will likely be nothing. In that sense, great, I had a great time drinking with my roomie, got a nice little break from work to finish decorating my apartment, and room to breathe before classes start. If it's worse, great, I was prepared.
Just saw this on Twitter. He could come up to my place and we could put those muddy shorts in the washer and dryer before they shut the electricity off...
cheyennejackson Cheyenne Jackson
Just got nailed with filthy pothole bus water Carrie Bradshaw style...and in my best tutu...(sadly shakes head)
Courtesy of the Drudge Report, we have people denying that this is a hurricane and is a ploy to make Obama look good.
NOAA’s Phony “Hurricane”
Unsurprisingly, these supposed scientists are global warming deniers.
"The storm cannot master its own strength."
I'm from the school of it's better to be safe than sorry. Many of theses government agencies do not want a repeat of what happened with Katrina. I know New Yorkers are jaded, I am a New Yorker born and bred, but I've also spent the better part of a decade in South Florida and lived through 5 hurricanes. I know the drill and trust me this is not "all for naught". Those who have NO IDEA the devastating effects of a hurricane are mainly the ones that are truly ignorant to this fact because they've never experienced one and believe me it is not pretty.
If it diffuses into a tropical storm that would be a great, great thing for everyone but like I said it is much better to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
Lord knows I'm from the school of "This isn't going to be a bad as we all think," but I see the benefit in using caution. The hysteria just comes from the fact that most of us in NYC aren't used to this type of storm and just have no idea what to expect.
F Bloomberg! He has ordered the shut down of the elevator in my building! Mandatory evacuation my a$$! I hope his vibrating butt plug shorts out during the storm!
But then , how do I really feel?
My job search and resume milling has brought on cabin fever that made me want to evacuate, using the hurricane as an excuse. I was all ready to put the 'vacation' back into 'evacuation'. But alas, the train canceled the scheduled trip earlier than expected this morning.
I've been through three hurricanes and a tropical depression. I don't think this is for nothing, either. Hurricanes are powerful creatures. Best advice, seek higher ground, stay away from windows, have candles for power flutters and use this opportunity to cultivate future preparedness. It's a big deal, yes. But doable if you're prepared.
I think my cabin fever is getting to me, though. Sunday should be interesting.
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Been cooped in my apartment all day, waiting for this bloody thing to arrive.
The wind is picking up in the Hamilton, NJ area. It's been raining all day but it just started POURING. The lights just dimmed twice while typing this.
It is now being predicted we have a 50% chance of +39 mile an hour winds, a 10% of +50 mile and hour winds and a 0% chance of +74 mile an hour winds. Seems the storm's path is pushing inland a bit more.
I think you should all ask for your money back.
Lights have flickered a few more times but haven't gone out. I was running around trying to make sure my sister had something warm to eat before the light did go out. Still have power but the storm is starting to rage outside
Eris I am a little south of you in Burlington City, my dad and brother teach in Hamilton Twp (Hamilton East HS...Steinert)...lots of rain so far here...a little light flickering as well...my grandfather finally evacuated Sea Isle City this morning after we begged him too....when it makes landfall it will still be a Cat 1 for South Jersey...even though it may be a Tropical Storm for all of you in NYC the rain fall is amount is going to be insane so be safe everyone
Adam4adam is really hoppin' right now.
Who wants a dramatic, Lawrence-ian boink in the storm?
Violet - Steinert class 0f 1997.
Rains seems to have slowed for now but it's been bouncing between no rain and a massive amount all day
Just heard there's a tornado watch for Jersey, the city, and Long Island.
I think we have enough hurricane coverage at the moment, since all the channels are saying the exact same thing. I wanted to watch Family Guy, but whatever.
Yup, they just issued a tornado watch. I am in North Jersey just over the river. As long as I can see Jim Cantore and have some wine, I am ok. Everyone stay safe!
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