Hurricane Sandy and East Coast - anyone preparing yet?

[Jennasis]

My entire family lives on Long Island, so i'm watching the storm like a friggin' hawk. I've got family in Shirley, Ridge, Massapequa, Lake grove, Islip, Levittown, Uniondale...luckily nothing right on the water, but some are only a few miles away. They've all stocked up on water and supplies and have frozen extra ice in containers or ziplocs, filled their bbq tanks and their bathtubs.

I remember Gloria hitting us when i was a kid and the power was out for 2 weeks. I am just stymied how sandy can be prepped to do so much damage as a cat egory 1. I suppose it's the slow moving nature of the storm?

 

[natenapril]

I'm in Maryland. It was just announced on the local news.

Thanks

 

[HelenePA]

My entire family lives on Long Island, so i'm watching the storm like a friggin' hawk. I've got family in Shirley, Ridge, Massapequa, Lake grove, Islip, Levittown, Uniondale...luckily nothing right on the water, but some are only a few miles away. They've all stocked up on water and supplies and have frozen extra ice in containers or ziplocs, filled their bbq tanks and their bathtubs.

I remember Gloria hitting us when i was a kid and the power was out for 2 weeks. I am just stymied how sandy can be prepped to do so much damage as a cat egory 1. I suppose it's the slow moving nature of the storm?

I dont think it helps most of our houses up here are not made for these types of storms. and with so many trees that still have leaves on them the trees are going to fall, fast. I know PP&L brought in 1100 tree trimmers from other states to try and keep the limbs off the lines but I haven't seen any around me.

the NEPA facebook page just posted this

Do not pay attention to the category of the hurricane as in this case the hurricane is of a different breed. It is two storms merged together. The pressure is low enough right now where it is a strong storm. We are still trying to collect more data to push to you guys. Stay tuned.

 

[eh24fan]

We are in Milford, DE -- about 35 mins north of the Rehoboth Beach area. It's raining here, but nothing out of the ordinary. It's just a light, steady rain. No wind to speak of, just a gusty breeze here and there. So far....

Most local schools are already closed for Monday and Tuesday. I'm still waiting to hear from work. I work for the state and no word yet.

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

All the schools in our area (both DC and Arlington) are closed tomorrow except us. I'm hoping the University decides to close sometime soon. My mom just called to tell me Southern Maryland is evacuating people near the water, but they're far enough back to not be effected. Schools are also closed for tomorrow for them, as well.

 

[smga1]

I'm in Maryland. It was just announced on the local news.

Montgomery, Fairfax and many other counties are closed tomorrow. Of course I am waiting to hear on Frederick county MD and no news. I need to figure out daycare or taking a day off. It might be the best day to travel i-270.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Montgomery, Fairfax and many other counties are closed tomorrow. Of course I am waiting to hear on Frederick county MD and no news. I need to figure out daycare or taking a day off. It might be the best day to travel i-270.

I'm Frederick county as well. The kids keep coming into the room asking if schools are closed.

Howard and Carroll counties are closed.

 

[Ceila]

South Jersey checking in...we're in Burlington County and getting some rain and a little wind. Most of the school districts are closed Monday and Tuesday. My FIL lives at the shore and evacuated to our house.

 

[LBIJim]

I remember Gloria hitting us when i was a kid and the power was out for 2 weeks. I am just stymied how sandy can be prepped to do so much damage as a cat egory 1. I suppose it's the slow moving nature of the storm?

It's not so much Hurricane or Tropical Storm Sandy and how slowly it's approaching. Hurricanes usually depart swiftly in the Northeast. It's the combination of Sandy with the other weather systems which will hold it in place for 2-3 days. Yes, in of itself it's a weak hurricane, but the expected duration of the combo storm is the reason for potential major damage. Stay safe.

Jim

 

[wvjules]

I'm in Frederick too, at Deep Creek right now though, and I keep checking FCPS website and ft. Detrick Website to see of we both get the day off. DD also goes to FCC so I'm hoping they follow FCPS's lead if they close.

And DD got off Monday and Tuesday from work. She didn't ask for them like I asked her to but ended up with them as her days off anyway.

As soon as the cowboys game is over we are hitting the road to head home.

Stay safe everyone.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Montgomery, Fairfax and many other counties are closed tomorrow. Of course I am waiting to hear on Frederick county MD and no news. I need to figure out daycare or taking a day off. It might be the best day to travel i-270.

I'm in Frederick too, at Deep Creek right now though, and I keep checking FCPS website and ft. Detrick Website to see of we both get the day off. DD also goes to FCC so I'm hoping they follow FCPS's lead if they close.

And DD got off Monday and Tuesday from work. She didn't ask for them like I asked her to but ended up with them as her days off anyway.

As soon as the cowboys game is over we are hitting the road to head home.

Stay safe everyone.

Just got the email that FCPS will decide by 9pm.

 

[njmom47]

Any of our Monmouth County/Belmar residents:


Update: October 28, 2012 2:10 PM

Mayor Matt Doherty stated, We have been advised this morning by the National Weather Service to expect unprecedented record setting flooding in Belmar on Monday and Tuesday from Hurricane Sandy.

In addition, JCP&L has advised us to expect power outages lasting up to 7-10 days.


After close consultation with County and State officials, our Police Department, Fire Department, Fist Aid and Department of Public Works, I have signed a declaration of emergency for Belmar. This includes a mandatory evacuation order for all Belmar residents, and the closing of all business at 12 noon tomorrow, Monday.


Please know that if you remain in Belmar, and flooding occurs as expected, emergency vehicles may not be able to reach you.


Please take care of your family and be safe."
Yikes!

 

[Mokat76]

My husband went to the Suffolk Walmart early this morning and said it wasn't bad at all. Maybe if you get there early enough you'll be good?

My facebook status this morning was
"Sending my husband to Walmart on the day before a hurricane. If I'm posting from divorce court next week, you know why"

My friend responded "I'll be surprised if he waits that long to file" LOL!

Walmart before a big storm can be more frightening than the storm itself!

Walmart wasn't too bad, surprisingly, but I was there before the crack of dawn. A lot of aisles were pretty bare, but they were stocking as best they could considering. I am not looking forward to the next 24-36 hours but all I can do is hunker down. I'm thankfully not in a flood prone area. Prayers and positive thoughts to all who are going to get hammered by Sandy.

 

[NotUrsula]

[snip]
I remember Gloria hitting us when i was a kid and the power was out for 2 weeks. I am just stymied how sandy can be prepped to do so much damage as a cat egory 1. I suppose it's the slow moving nature of the storm?

It's not so much Hurricane or Tropical Storm Sandy and how slowly it's approaching. Hurricanes usually depart swiftly in the Northeast. It's the combination of Sandy with the other weather systems which will hold it in place for 2-3 days. Yes, in of itself it's a weak hurricane, but the expected duration of the combo storm is the reason for potential major damage. Stay safe.
Jim

It is that, but there is another twist that will also contribute if the models are correct. The storm is predicted to come inland in an odd direction that will send it up the most populated part of the coast EASTBOUND. What that means is that the most dangerous side of the storm, the NE quadrant, will be the driving edge. If that prediction comes true, the storm surge will be greatly intensified over what it would be if the storm were approaching from the water at that point.

Also, watch carefully over the course of today; when the eyewall crosses the Gulf Stream the storm will pick up a new infusion of warm water that is likely to strengthen the intensity.

Stay safe, folks, and make sure that you are not storing any irreplaceable items in basements.

 

[JessicaR]

I can't remember our district cancelling school for 2 days in a row before a storm hits ever. They just called and my son is dancing.

Getting windy and it's drizzling. We're as prepared as we can be.

Stay safe all.

 

[HelenePA]

PP&L is saying to plan for at least a week with no power.. PSU has canceled classes (local campus) already for tomorrow but my kids still have school as of right now...

 

[kacaju]

PP&L is saying to plan for at least a week with no power.. PSU has canceled classes (local campus) already for tomorrow but my kids still have school as of right now...

Helene...are you anywhere near Bloomsburg? We are supposed to head up there on Saturday for a dog show...I just don't know if they are supposed to get hit bad too.

 

[HelenePA]

Helene...are you anywhere near Bloomsburg? We are supposed to head up there on Saturday for a dog show...I just don't know if they are supposed to get hit bad too.

Yes I'm not far from Bloom. Bloom floods EVERY single time we get something like this... last year it was under 24' YES FEET of water... I wouldn't plan on going to be honest.. we might not even have power yet... we are going to get slammed with 90mph (gusts) winds tomorrow night dropping down to 75mph winds on tuesday morning.. the wind is actually scarier than the rain this time around.. I think we are only getting 6'-8' I've never been thru something like this before.. I'm freaking out a little bit here..

 

[HippieChickadee]

Is Upstate NY out of the clear- for the most part? I know there will be some wind and rain, but not the hurricane type winds a lot of others will get.

Am I reading into this correctly?

 

[WDWLVR2]

Mid-Atlantic here, we got our stuff together on Friday...batteries, candles, milk, bread, gas for car and generator, and cash. Stay safe everyone!