Anyone here going to meet Irene?

[Gob]

If so, bets of luck, keep us informed!

Hurricane Irene reaches category three on way to US

Storm surge waves battered the Dominican capital Santo Domingo on Tuesday Storm surge waves battered the Dominican capital Santo Domingo on Tuesday

Hurricane Irene has grown into a category three storm as it barrels towards the east coast of the US.

Irene, which has drenched the Dominican Republic, now boasts winds of 120 mph (193km/h) near the Bahamas, and could reach the US mainland later this week.

Tourists are being evacuated from an island off North Carolina and people are already stocking up on supplies in coastal areas of the US state.

The huge storm has brought flooding and power cuts across the Caribbean.

Federal officials have warned it could do the same along the US east coast as far north as Maine, even if it stays offshore.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14641567

[No Greater Fool]

I plan to wave at her as she goes by.

[Scooter]

It's supposed to hit Long Island, which is where oldr n wsr is, although I'm not sure where in relation to landfall.

[Guinevere]

Still no idea how bad it will be in New England -- it could come roaring up the coast as a CAT2 Hurricane, or it could move west and be "only" a tropical storm with high winds and heavy rains. I've booked an inland hotel room from my cat and I, am picking up extra tarps, buying plywood, and making plans to seriously batten down the hatches. Better safe than sorry.

[dales]

First an "earthquake" and now this?

Glad I live in CA!

[Sue U]

Apparently, Irene is coming to my house for Sunday dinner, and I see on weather.com that Guin, oldr and I are all in "extreme threat" locations. I've been kissed by hurricanes when I lived in Florida some 30 years ago but have never seen anything like that here in the Northeast, where generally hurricanes come to die. However, this one looks like it still might be packing 100-mph winds by the time it gets here, and I worry about that; although the winds won't be quite as strong in Long Island and Massachusetts, oldr and Guin are in low-lying coastal areas that are much more likely to get some serious flooding, whereas I'm about 50 miles inland.

[Gob]

Authorities on the east coast of the US, from North Carolina to New York City, are preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Irene this weekend.

The first hurricane of the Atlantic season is a category three storm, packing winds of 115mph (185km/h), and expected to get stronger.

The US Navy has moved 36 ships out to sea to protect them and their port from high waves.

Irene, currently over the Bahamas, has already caused havoc in the Caribbean.

States of emergency have been declared in Virginia, New Jersey, New York and in eastern North Carolina, allowing greater co-ordination between state and US federal disaster management authorities.

"In this emergency I am activating all levels of state government to prepare for any situation that may be caused by Hurricane Irene," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14669374

Best of luck to all!

[Jarlaxle]

Apparently, Irene is coming to my house for Sunday dinner, and I see on weather.com that Guin, oldr and I are all in "extreme threat" locations. I've been kissed by hurricanes when I lived in Florida some 30 years ago but have never seen anything like that here in the Northeast, where generally hurricanes come to die. However, this one looks like it still might be packing 100-mph winds by the time it gets here, and I worry about that; although the winds won't be quite as strong in Long Island and Massachusetts, oldr and Guin are in low-lying coastal areas that are much more likely to get some serious flooding, whereas I'm about 50 miles inland.

I'm in the area too...Liz ran up the generator yesterday, we have enough gas to run it for a week, batteries...just need to fuel up my truck tomorrow after work and top off the batteries in all the pbones. I'm far enough inland that I'm not all that concerned.

[Gob]

Still mate, keep us up to speed huh?

[quaddriver]

looks like irene is petering out. down to a cat 2 and losing about 5mph winds per hour.

[Sue U]

"Petering out" may be a bit of an overstatement; latest projection now shows Irene over my house Sunday morning with sustained winds of 85 mph. I'd be happier if it would "peter out" a whole lot more -- I'm not looking forward to having my new solar panels ripped off my roof. I understand they have begun evacuation of the shore (courts in the shore counties were closed today to facilitate evacuation) and this evening all major roads will be made one-way heading inland. Shore businesses (except plywood and pump sellers) are going to lose a lot of money on the last big summer weekend before Labor Day.

[Gob]

Take care Sue. Let us know how it goes...

[Guinevere]

Be safe Sue, Oldr, and Jar. I'm taking every precaution, it is still looking like hurricane force winds on the beach up here, plus a 5-10 foot storm surge.

[alice]

Good luck, hope it 'fizzes' and doesn't do too much damage. Stay safe

[Gob]

[loCAtek]

amdeoplex?

[Sue U]

We've had some strong wind overnight and this morning, but mostly just A LOT of rain; many small tree branches down, nothing too bad. Got a foot or so of water in my basement -- that's really aggravating. Irene just passed over NYC and is now downgraded to a tropical storm. Good luck to our friends in New England!

[Guinevere]

Made it through the first high tide of the day without the storm surge doing any major damage in my town. Windy, wet, wavy and conditions are worsening as the brunt of it all comes through. The next 12 hours will tell the tale, but I think we're going to be OK. Glad it was only aggravation Sue, and that's you and your family and home are safe.

All the advance notice and preparation has really helped. One of the major issues with the last big storm we had was that it caught all of us by surprise. I much prefer being able to plan and take countermeasures!

[Gob]

Good to hear you both got through unscathed, best of luck for the next 12 hours Guin.

Images from the BBC

[Jarlaxle]

Almost a non-event...I have branches down, my driveway is muddy enough to require 4WD, the power is out...all of which I expected.

At the height nof the wind & rain, my St. Bernard was peacefully sleeping in the front yard, totally exposed to 50+MPH wind and a horizontal monsoon. I saw him when I was checking the generator and dragged him inside. (My dog, for the record, is nuts.)