Need to be sure my disaster preparations are up to date.

[foghornl]

How far inland are you?

I stayed in North Charleston, SC in 1989 during Hurricane Hugo with a mere 135 MPH wind. Brought down my station's 1670 Ft TV Broadcast tower. [I was Assistant Chief Engineer] Hugo was still wreaking major havoc way up into North Carolina, as I recall. Hugo's inland path was essentially along I-26 to Columbia, SC, then generally along I-77.

Will I ride out another Hurricane [insert name here] ? ? ?

Not now...Not ever

Here is a link to the history of Hugo:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1989hugo.html

 

[gun-fucious]

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
504 AM EDT TUE SEP 16 2003

...HURRICANE ISABEL IS EXPECTED TO AFFECT THE REGION LATER THIS
WEEK...

EARLY THIS MORNING THE CENTER OF HURRICANE ISABEL WAS LOCATED NEAR
LATITUDE 26.6 NORTH...LONGITUDE 70.7 WEST OR ABOUT 660 MILES...1065
KM...SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA. ISABEL IS
MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 7 MPH...11 KM/HR. A GENERAL
MOTION TOWARD THE NORTHWEST OR NORTH-NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED DURING
THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

THE OFFICIAL TRACK FROM THE TROPICAL PREDICTION CENTER BRINGS THE
STORM INLAND ALONG THE MID ATLANTIC COAST ON THURSDAY. AS WITH ALL
TROPICAL SYSTEMS THERE IS A MARGIN OF ERROR.

WITH LANDFALL SLATED IN TWO DAYS...NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE
PREPARATIONS. GO OVER YOUR FAMILY DISASTER PLAN. GATHER NON
PERISHABLE FOODS AND BOTTLED WATER. CHECK FLASH LIGHTS AND PORTABLE
RADIOS. GET EXTRA BATTERIES. FILL YOUR VEHICLES WITH FUEL. GATHER
MEDICATIONS AND EXTRA PERSONAL CARE ITEMS. SHOULD YOU HAVE TO
EVACUATE OR MOVE TO A SHELTER...CONSIDER PLANS FOR PET CARE.

AS THE STORM NEARS THE COAST...THE STORM TRACK FORECAST WILL BE
BETTER DEFINED. LANDFALLING HURRICANES CAN PRODUCE VIOLENT WINDS...
TORNADOES...FLOODING RAINS...AND INUNDATION OF COASTAL AREAS BY
STORM SURGE AND TIDAL FLOODING.

FROM THE CURRENT TRACK...THE STORM IS FORECAST TO BE A FAST MOVER.
A FAST MOVING STORM IS GENERALLY ACCOMPANIED BY STRONGER WINDS. IF
THE STORM SLOWS DOWN...EXCEPT HIGHER RAINFALL TOTALS. STORMS OF
SIMILAR HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE ARE THE CHESAPEAKE-POTOMAC HURRICANE
IN 1933 AND HURRICANE HAZEL IN 1954.

ALL ARE URGED TO FOLLOW THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON HURRICANE ISABEL
THIS WEEK. BE READY TO TAKE ACTION IF A WATCH IS ISSUED FOR THE
AREA. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL MEDIA FOR
FURTHER DETAILS AND UPDATES ON THIS DANGEROUS HURRICANE. YOU CAN
ALSO CHECK OUR WEBSITE AT:

WWW.ERH.NOAA.GOV/LWX

 

[mormonsniper]

Dad cooked on a grill and coleman stove for two weeks (no electricity) when Hugo hit. Get some propane and a burner, portable if you think you might have to transport it. There was no going anywhere after Hugo went through Charleston. Trees down all over the place.


Dad said there was a chinese restaraunt that fed LOTS of people that couldn't feed themselves. Propane tanks and burners were brought outside the restaurant and fed people for days. Go stir-fry & tofu!

 

[spartacus2002]

I've heard that modern cars have anti-siphon devices in the fuel filler. Don't know if that's true, but it could cause a problem if you plan to use your car's fuel tank as a gasoline storage container.

 

[NewShooter78]

Just wanted to add a few things that we have in our hurricane supply kit.

-Inflatable raft, you never know when water might be an issue, so don't take the chance.
-MREs are a cheap way to keep food around. Not the best tasting in the world, but they do make non military ones now.
-propane or charcoal for an outside bbq grill. When the power is out and you have some meat that is still good, its better than MREs or Spam. Might think about securing grill to the house with a chain if at all possible.
-plenty of toilet paper! and paper towels. paper plates are good too.

Everything else that has been mentioned is good sound advice too. We have a generator if we decide to stay for a small hurricane so usually power isn't the issue, but keeping a ready supply of gasoline is. Another thing we have done is built in hook eyes around the shed (ist a metal DIY kind) so we can secure it to the foundation its built on.

Something to also do in the long run, because it won't be of any use to you days before a storm hits, is too keep a watch on any trees close to your home. If they are rotted or eaten out by termites, they have to go.

 

[JeepDriver]

I gased up the chain saw, have plenty of 9mm and 12GA as well as about 200 rounds of 7.62x39 (I know I should have more, but we went shooting week before last and I haven't ordered any more ) I'll gas up both Jeeps on Thursday, Have 32 liters of water stored, in the form of 16 2 liter bottles. 6 of those bottles are in the freezer right now. I always keep a couple hundred $ in with the guns, as just in case money. We've got plenty of non-parishable food in the house as well. Have propane for the coleman stove and lantern, as well as 2 4-D Cell Mag lights and my Sure Fire. I'll keep the cell phone on their chargers while we're home, plus we have car chargers for both phones.

Only thing left to get is the Beer. I'll be picking that up on the way home from work tomorrow!

 

[chaim]

NC had already declared a state of emergency. I don't know about VA. Governor Ehrlich here in MD just signed a "storm emergency" at 11pm tonight and called up the National Guard. Looks like everyone is trying to be prepared.

The hurricane looks like it has stabalized as a Catagory 2, with 110-115mph winds. Some reports have said that conditions are right for it to strengthen again before coming ashore however.

I'm pretty much ready though. I'm sure there is something I forgot (you always think of something later) but probably nothing urgent.

It is a little scary that they seem to think it will take the same basic route as the 1933 (unnamed) Maryland/Virginia hurricane and 1954's Hurricane Hazel, both of which were very bad inland around here. But who knows, we may get lucky, and even if we don't it should weaken before it gets here (northern North Carolina and southern VA residents good luck, it looks like you'll be hit first, and hardest, though I'm sure most of you aren't online right now- probably taking advantage of every moment to prepare). However, some reports say the winds may be as low as 35-50mph (still bad enough for major damage) and some say it can be as bad as 75-80. Also, it has been a really wet year and we really don't need the rain- Baltimore is over 10" over normal and DC is nearly 20" over. 10" or so in only a few hours and there will be some major problems. Heck, in some local areas there were some major flooding problems from just a normal thunderstorm the ground is so saturated. Also, the Baltimore news reported that if it does go up the bay (it still could, though it will probably be further west) there could be 3-4' whitecaps at the Baltimore Inner Harbor which would put pretty much all of the business district under water . Lets hope it goes west as expected so that won't happen (though that will still be pretty bad for the area).

 

[Norton]

One think I haven't seen anyone mention is back ups for the sump pump. We have a very active drain tile system and back in June when we got all of that rain, the pump was running every 10 minutes or so.

I have one of those combination battery pack/inverters that you get at the boat supply store. That way if the power goes out I can plug the pump into the inverter.

If the battery back gives out, I can use the hand operated bilge pump......

 

[greyhound]

here it comes....

My company sent us all home from work at 3:00 PM. Ever since the big blizzard this winter, and the terrorism cautions with the Iraq war, I've been stocking up, so I'm fairly ready:

-11 cases bottled water (how long will that last for 1 (maybe 2) 2 people, 1 dog?)
-enough canned food/PowerBars, etc to last all for 1 week (including dog food)
-first aid kit
-hand crank/battery radio (with TV audio)
- Remington 870 Wingmaster 20 ga. w/3 #6 in the pipe and 5 #3 Buck in a butt cuff
-S&W 64 4" w/6 +P Glaser Safety Slugs and 2 speedloaders of CorBon 110 gr +P
-lots of extra ammo for both.
-flashlights on every floor/lots of batteries/lots of candles
-extra $300 from ATM


My biggest minus is lack of power if the electricity goes off, esp. the sump pump. I did purchase extra insurance for flooded basement a couple years ago, and reread the policy last night and I appear to be covered. I should get a back up power source ASAP (all sold out here!)

Other than that, my biggest concern is getting the durn dog to go for his PM walk, he HATES to get wet!

Good luck to all the fellow THRs in Isabel's path.

 

[JeepDriver]

5:30pm.

She's just getting here.

Wind is kicking up and rain is starting to blow.

And I've still gotta walk the dog!

 

[gun-fucious]

i just chainsawed up a pear tree that fell from one neighbors yard, across another neighbors driveway. I'm about 25 miles north of the District. Not much rain yet and i figured the neighbors might need to go somewhere later and i prefer to chainsaw while its light out.

i just set up my weather station this afternoon, we are getting 20 mph winds with 40 mph gusts. Yep, up on the roof setting up an anemometer. Funny what gets my round-tuit in gear.

 

[greyhound]

And I've still gotta walk the dog!

Jeepdriver-

Good luck with your pooch. Just got back with one VERY unhappy dog. Poor feller got hit with a flying branch. I'll towel him down and give him a biscuit and he'll be right as rain (no pun intended) til morning.

Lights are flickering some, though.

g-hound

 

[justashooter]

4 WD Ford pick 'em up truck with two tanks of gas, 45 with a couple of spare mags to make sure the road stays clear, and a babe to ride in the middle of the seat and block the rear view mirror with her country music awards hair-do.

almost forgot - two six packs of red and white, and some wine coolers for the tang.

 

[chaim]

So far it hasn't been too bad here.

Apparently it took longer than expected to change to a more northerly track so we won't be hit quite as hard. Still, over a quarter million in and around Baltimore are without power. My county has a total population of about 150K and 16,000 households are without power (figure an average of 2.5 people per household and that is 40K out of 150K are without power). The lights have flickered a few times but haven't yet gone out here (obviously ). Flooding is a major concern. The next big concern (wind is still an issue since we haven't seen our worst yet, but it likely won't be too bad- currently around 30-40mph) is the storm surge which won't be hitting the bay and rivers until sometime around 2am. Also, the ground is quite saturated so flash flooding is likely as well (the one local death was due to someone dying in their car due to either hydroplaning or a flash flood depending upon the report you listen to). Of course, many trees and tree limbs are down and a few people have lost roofs or had trees fall on their house. Still it is much better than it could have been (Virginia has over 1.3 million without power and Virginia Beach has had major damage). While it looks like the western part of the state is going to have it even worse than expected and we'll be somewhat spared I don't want to get too confident here.

There is some flooding already. The Fells Point neighborhood in Baltimore is under 1-2 feet of water and the rain is still hard and the storm surge hasn't come yet. Apparently the Annapolis harbor area is flooding. Last I heard the water at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore was expected to rise, possibly flooding some of the Inner Harbor area (but I don't know if it has). Some communities have been evacuated.

Also, one local county (Anne Arundel) is asking residents to conserve water and to not flush toilets due to trouble at their water treatment facilities. They aren't yet telling their residents that the water is contaminated yet and no other locality has similar reports.

Those of you further west, my thoughts and prayers are with you. If you are in the Pittsburgh area good luck- last I saw the report said that it will be aiming for Indiana, PA on its current track.


Update:

In the past 30 min the numbers without power have greatly increased. Over 300K in the Baltimore area. Over 20K in my county now (2.5 people per household would equal about 50K or 1/3 of the population). Likely those numbers will increase substantially since the worst wind hasn't come yet, and several more inches of rain are likely to come as well (saturated ground helps trees to come down). They won't even start to try to get power re-established until sometime tomorrow so for some it might simply be a long time.

I'm guessing I'll be disappearing for a time before long. The power has more than flickered now a couple times. We almost lost power (went out for 2-3 seconds) twice. I'm guessing that means that we'll probably lose it soon. Should that happen, I guess I'll see you guys in a few days.

 

[chaim]

You know, I better take the "not so bad" back. Not many casualties. However, we seem to be getting hit bad by floods (not me personally though). They are currently showing pictures of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Has anyone here been to Harborplace in Baltimore? Well, the walkway in front of it is totally covered with water. From the pictures on TV it looks that the water is on the steps to enter the Harborplace mall. It isn't yet hightide (though it will be soon). There is a good chance that the Harborplace mall and even Light Street might be flooded. How about the ESPN Zone (the first one, here in Baltimore) and Baltimore Hard Rock Cafe? Pictures are showing flood waters right up to the building there. That plus the Annapolis and Fells Point flooding alone can be millions and millions of dollars of damage (and in Annapolis and Fells Point it can damage some very historical buildings).

I guess it will be hard to tell what the damage actually is until tomorrow after the storm is over and the sun comes up so the people can get out and actually survey the damage.

 

[chaim]

Personally my neighborhood is fine. I haven't left the court yet though. In my court there are a lot of fallen branches, but only one felled tree.

Watching TV it seems that flood damage is bad, far worse than expected. Light Street and Pratt Street in Baltimore are flooded, the Inner Harbor is badly flooded, Annapolis is flooded, just about every community that is on the bay is under water, Fells Point is badly flooded, rivers are flooded. Near me, my brother tells me that Ellicott City is (surprisingly) not yet flooded but the river is still rising-fast. The greatest surprise is that low tide has not come and gone and instead of the water levels dropping they are still rising- there is great concern about the next high tide.

Don't expect most MD, DC, and VA THRers to be online for a while. I may be in one of the few neighborhoods that still have power. Well over a million in VA are without power. In the Baltimore area there are over 600K without power. In my county they are reporting over 60K without power (they are saying people so I don't know 100% sure if they mean people or households, if households about 90% are probably without power, people it is 35-40% without power). Also, as more trees fall (weakened roots from the saturated ground will cause even more to fall despite the end of the storm for us) more will lose power.

If you are in western PA be prepared. As you probably know by now it is coming at you. With your layout flooding will also be an issue. If you are on low ground do not try to stay home.

 

[JeepDriver]

This is my parents street as of 6am this morning.


Their house is on Bear Creek in Dundalk. The house is about 100 ft off to the right of the photo. There was 2 ft of water in the house @ 6am high tide isn't until 1pm

 

[spartacus2002]

Newport News, VA, survived OK. I just got power back after being out since noon Thursday. BUt, thanks to this and another threat, I was pretty well prepared.

The best tips that came in handy:
--turn fridge/freezer to highest setting
--buy several bags of ice to keep in freezer. Once power goes out, move 1 at a time to the fridge to keep it cool. Once that no longer works, use the freezer as the fridge. We kept stuff cool over 72 hours like that.

Lotsa folks bought no food, and had no gas when it hit.

Luckily, a local AM station kept up continuous coverage Wednesday thru Friday (except for midnight to 6am), with sitreps and weather updates. After it was over, they took calls from folks alerting everyone to where there was power, ice, food, and gas for sale.

Great community effort by all.

 

[Apple a Day]

I finally got through to my parents in Poquoson. They refused to leave. My mother insisted that she had made it through Andrew in Florida and would ride out this one with no problems. The water made it up to their door and they live nearly dead center of the town. The garage is soaked and their Saturn is shorted dead. It got up to the steering wheel. My mother was in hysterics when I got through. She said, never again would she try to ride something like this out. I have a lot of work to do clearing dead trees from their yard.
A couple of other friends have checked in. It sounds like Poquoson has been ravaged. We bugged out, went to Cleveland (man, Ohio SUCKS! esp. driving through Akron!) and will return in the morning.
Firefighters in Poquoson abandoned their station down Messick way and fell back to the #2 station on Wythe Creek Rd. It supposedly didn't flood there and we live within spitting distance from that station. I've got my fingers crossed.
Friends in Newport News said they are without power but their phones work. Quite a few neighbors of friends got tree-falling damage but they themselves got lucky. I hope some of that luck rubbed off on me.
Spartacus, check your PM

 

[Norton]

Just got power back on at 5:45pm EDT on Saturday.....43 hours after going out. Annapolis (except for City Dock area) did not fair to badly.....we got next to no rain and the wind was not all that awful. I slept through the night no problem.