Hurricane Irene

[ZetaPhi708]

Sending out well wishes to all of the Greeks, past and present, in the path of Irene.

[DaffyKD]

Will those affected by Irene please check in when possible after she passes you so that we know that you are safe?

Thanks

DaffyKD

[ASTalumna06]

Will do. Here in Jersey, preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best!

It's amazing how quickly items are flying off the shelves at the stores around here. I was at Target last night at about 8:00 (I refused to go to the grocery store), and I managed to grab the last loaf of bread.

I'm used to seeing scenes like this, having lived through many blizzards in New England, but unfortunately, in a situation like this, there's no snow outside to keep food cold if we lose electricity for a few days.

[ZetaPhi708]

Originally Posted by DaffyKD

Will those affected by Irene please check in when possible after she passes you to that we know that you are safe?

Thanks

DaffyKD

Co-sign.

This is going to be a bad one, folks.

[Benzgirl]

I wonder how DS is doing. I haven't seen him post in quite a while. Hope everything is ok for him in the DC metro area. My co-workers were all changing their travel plans on Sunday to fly out Saturday.

[KSUViolet06]

I heard from a GCer in NYC that MTA is shutting down all trains and buses. Crazy.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I heard from a GCer in NYC that MTA is shutting down all trains and buses. Crazy.

They actually announced last night that they were shutting them down. There's also mandatory evacuations for hospitals and nusring homes around that area. Many New Yorkers in certain areas of the city have been told to leave, as well.

They actually shut down the Garden State Parkway tonight at 8, a little farther south of here, not allowing anyone to head toward the Jersey shore.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

They actually announced last night that they were shutting them down. There's also mandatory evacuations for hospitals and nusring homes around that area. Many New Yorkers in certain areas of the city have been told to leave, as well.

They actually shut down the Garden State Parkway tonight at 8, a little farther south of here, not allowing anyone to head toward the Jersey shore.

The possibility of shutting down mass transit (including subway, bus, and commuter rail) was brought up last night. It wasn't until this afternoon, however, that the decision was made to shut the entire system down. Even if the storm doesn't pass through--which is looking extremely unlikely at this point--the system wouldn't be back and running normally until Monday afternoon. So, a lot of offices are going to be closed. I prepared for this by bringing home work that doesn't require power. My boss did not give us an emergency plan--again, a lot of people think that this is not going to be a big deal at all.

As far as the evacuations go--only the hospitals and nursing homes in the low-lying areas, the ones in the mandatory evacuation area are being cleared out. Most of NYC is actually not in a flood zone at all. My neighborhood is about 200' above sea level. Much of Lower Manhattan was built as infill, so it wasn't surprising that those areas were evacuated early.

Honestly? Most New Yorkers think this is going to blow away at the last minute. We've had "Storms of the Century" that turn out to be pretty small, so some people, especially natives, have become extremely jaded. The problem is that NYC is an old city with an old infrastructure. The subways can shut down over more than 2" of rainfall! I grew up in Florida and we don't mess around.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

The possibility of shutting down mass transit (including subway, bus, and commuter rail) was brought up last night. It wasn't until this afternoon, however, that the decision was made to shut the entire system down. Even if the storm doesn't pass through--which is looking extremely unlikely at this point--the system wouldn't be back and running normally until Monday afternoon. So, a lot of offices are going to be closed. I prepared for this by bringing home work that doesn't require power. My boss did not give us an emergency plan--again, a lot of people think that this is not going to be a big deal at all.

As far as the evacuations go--only the hospitals and nursing homes in the low-lying areas, the ones in the mandatory evacuation area are being cleared out. Most of NYC is actually not in a flood zone at all. My neighborhood is about 200' above sea level. Much of Lower Manhattan was built as infill, so it wasn't surprising that those areas were evacuated early.

Honestly? Most New Yorkers think this is going to blow away at the last minute. We've had "Storms of the Century" that turn out to be pretty small, so some people, especially natives, have become extremely jaded. The problem is that NYC is an old city with an old infrastructure. The subways can shut down over more than 2" of rainfall! I grew up in Florida and we don't mess around.

all of this.

I'm trying to be less jaded and take this seriously. Got my flashlight and radio ready, water on deck, and generally just sitting and waiting. Gonna get what's the last on the shelves tomorrow morning, but otherwise, I've got muy Netflix and a new book to keep me entertained.

I'm not in a flood zone, but most of Queens (where I grew up, and work) is built on top of old cementary/swamp area, so it floods badly with a lot of rain. I'm worried about getting to work on Monday - the website says we're open, but the way the MTA is planning, subways may not be up and running. I can almost guarantee everything on my calendar for Monday will be canceled/postponed, further encouraging me to stay home.

[AznSAE]

Originally Posted by tld221

I'm not in a flood zone, but most of Queens (where I grew up, and work) is built on top of old cementary/swamp area, so it floods badly with a lot of rain.

wait...what? homes and buildings are built on top of a cemetary? did they relocate bodies or something?

everyone please stay safe.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

My boss did not give us an emergency plan--again, a lot of people think that this is not going to be a big deal at all.

Honestly? Most New Yorkers think this is going to blow away at the last minute. We've had "Storms of the Century" that turn out to be pretty small, so some people, especially natives, have become extremely jaded.

Our CEO sent out an email this afternoon providing everyone with a hotline # to call, and times that the company website would be updated in order to keep us informed of office closings. Our home office is here in Jersey with additional offices in the path of the storm in Philly, NYC and Boston.

I'm also thinking that this might not be a big deal, but then again, it very well could be. Better safe than sorry, I always say. The weather (especially when a hurricane is involved) is hard to predict, but if they're pretty sure something terrible is heading right for me, I'm going to prepare for the worst.

[Kappamd]

Fiance's mom just flew IN to DC for a week-long stay. Yeah, not the best week for a business meeting.

We are praying especially hard for the Outer Banks. Corolla, NC has been near and dear to both of our families for many years and it breaks my heart to see the destruction that are predicting for the banks.

Praying for and thinking about everyone else as well.

[Tulip86]

Good luck to everyone in the area, hope you all stay safe!

[AlwaysSAI]

I have an AGD officer's meeting tomorrow afternoon. I told the President that if the weather started looking iffy, I wasn't coming.

I live alone, my boyfriend is out of town (in NY) and my parents do not live close by. I just wouldn't feel safe leaving my house during an ugly storm. Frankly, I'm not sure I feel safe in my house, but I've got no other options there.

[pomplemousse12]

I've evacuated to NOVA, but I'll update everyone when I see what happens to our area. A lot of the cities and towns have not been evacuated, so I know a bunch of people down there hoping for the best. I'll let everyone know how it goes