Hurricane Irene

[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.