The latest numerical guidance continues to adjust westward as has the last several NHC track forecasts which now have eye of Irene coming thru the North Carolina lower outer banks late Saturday before grazing the Delmarva and New Jersey then moving into the northeast on Sunday. This potentially could be extremely destructive with massive disruptions to society and commerce along its entire track with very high winds/storm surge/ocean overwash/beach erosion/sound and bay side coastal flooding and extreme tide potential. Widespread heavy rains in the 6-10 inch range will be common with greatly increased inland flood potential. Refer to the NHC for the latest forecast of Irene along with local NWS warnings/statements and advisories from NC into New England.New Jersey has already issued a voluntary evacuation for the coast.
MEFITES COME OUT TO PLAYposted by The Whelk at 5:25 PM on August 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Hurricane Irene: Checklist for protecting your technology, Tom Henderson, IT World, August 25, 2011
The MTA is activating its hurricane plan this weekend, which means if the winds reach speeds of at least 39 miles per hour, the entire system will shut down, meaning no subway or bus service whatsoever.(I'd planned to go to Manhattan tomorrow afternoon and am calculating the chances of getting stranded. I take NJTransit, but other folks meeting me there take the subway.)
[1:32 p.m. ET] The New York Metropolitan Transit Authority will begin a systemwide shutdown beginning at noon Saturday, the New York governor's office says.posted by Vibrissa at 10:39 AM on August 26, 2011
[1:23 p.m. ET] The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will halt all service beginning at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter says. It is the first time ever for such an event.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says New Jersey Transit will suspend service beginning at noon Saturday
Turn your refrigerator to the highest setting. If you bought ice, put it in the freezer.) and funny-because-it's-true snarky (e.g.
Move your hard drives up to the second floor. What if you lost all your early design work from RISD?).
A tropical storm means no cookout? On my kid's birthday? Bull—shit!(With apologies to Patton Oswalt [NSFW])
Hiya, Dad. Yeah, it's a blizzard. You're god damned right I'm grilling burgers.
Jeffrey Rose, a clinical hypnotist strolling the beach dipping onion rings into guacamole,posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 4:15 PM on August 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
New York City ordered more than 300,000 people who live in flood-prone areas to leave, including Battery Park City at the southern tip of Manhattan, Coney Island and the beachfront Rockaways. But it was not clear how many would do it, how they would get out or where they would go. Most New Yorkers don't have a car.
On top of that, the city said it would shut down the subways and buses at noon Saturday, only a few hours after the first rain is expected to fall. The transit system carries about 5 million people on an average weekday, fewer on weekends. It has been shut down several times before, including during a transit workers' strike in 2005 and after the Sept. 11 attacks a decade ago, but never for weather.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said there was little authorities could do to force people to leave.
"We do not have the manpower to go door-to-door and drag people out of their homes," he said. "Nobody's going to get fined. Nobody's going to go to jail. But if you don't follow this, people may die."
Shelters were opening Friday afternoon, and the city was placed under its first hurricane warning since 1985.
Transit systems in New Jersey and Philadelphia also announced plans to shut down, and Washington declared a state of emergency. Boisterous New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie demanded people "get the hell off the beach" in Asbury Park and said: "You're done. Do not waste any more time working on your tan."
CDC recommends that people make an emergency plan that includes a disaster supply kit. This kit should include enough water, dried and canned food, and emergency supplies (flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, prescription medicines, and a digital thermometer) to last at least 3 days. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches (to minimize the risk of fire).And that, out of the 16,700 links your loaded "Google" link provides, that some of the page 4 results have people recommending various alternative non-battery light sources for long term use?
CHARGE ALL THE THINGS!You know, that's the one thing I haven't done. I'll get right on it--thanks for the reminder.
....let's just imagine how Weather Channel viewers at home (50% of whom are named "Ethel") reacted to the sight of this man and his privates suddenly appearing on their televisions.
Based on current National Weather Service forecasts, Metro bus, rail and paratransit services are expected to continue operating on a regular weekend schedule. There are currently no planned service changes as a result of weather, and there are no reported delays or major detours as of 5:00 p.m. Saturday.Actually, I'm honestly surprised. I figured they would shut things down at the first drop of rain. Maybe because we are further inland?
This is some little house on the prairie bullshit
Right, and I think Skygazer's point is that it will suck to load a 1000+ comment thread on a mobile device once we've all descended into powerlessness and looting and barbarian savagery.
According to the 3rd U.S. INF Regiment The Old Guard Facebook page, "A lone Tomb Sentinel, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), walks his tour in humble reverence during Hurricane Irene in Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Aug 27. Members of The Old Guard have guarded the Tomb every second, of every day regardless of weather or holidays since April 6, 1948.Not sure what I think, really. Kinda neat, maybe, but um, putting someone's life in danger?
26 Tower Cranes: Tower cranes located in the city (13 of those at the World Trade Center construction site) do not disassemble quickly and may not be able to be taken down in time for the storm. They are only built to withstand winds of 65 mph or less.:( Yikes.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:39 PM on August 25, 2011