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Indeed...this is not a storm to wait out. Keep in mind that hurricanes normally weaken a bit out in the open cooler ocean water...it may strengthen back to a full blown category 5 when it passes over the Gulf Stream. It has hurricane force winds up to 85 miles out from the center. Not a storm to take lightly!
Posts: 5422 | Registered: Dec 2001
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I saw, this morning, a report done by Mike Von Fremnd (sp?) on GMA. He went up with the hurricane studying people (very technical, aren't I?) and they dropped those tube thingys with the sensors in them (Twister?) and they broke a record. They had never recorded wind sheer that high before. It was 236 mph!
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Oh man! Looks like I'm almost dead center for this thing. The local news is telling everyone to go stock up on water and batteries. It's already flooding in the next county over and schools are closing early today.
That's it! I'm heading back up to Boston! Or better yet, anybody out West having a get-together?
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Please please keep us posted!! We'll be worried about you all until we hear how and where everyone is. Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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Mwa ha. Growing up in Savannah, GA was great. They'd evecuate everyone (no school for a week) and then the hurricane would hit the Gulf Stream and head into the Carolinas. There hasn't been a dangerous hurricane to hit Savannah in who knows how long.
But seriously, it sucked for the Carolinas.
Be safe everyone! Make sure you have everything you need!
Posts: 6367 | Registered: Aug 2003
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Jexxter, my other online friends in Durham are taking Isabel pretty seriously. One told me earlier today that she'd stocked up on water and canned goods, and gotten gasoline for the generator (which they bought when Fran knocked out power for 5 days a few years back).
As I told her, I'd rather live in earthquake country. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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rivka-Thanks for the warning. Yeah, we have a bunch of bottled water, batteries, and we are going tomorrow to get food we don't need a stove for. Unfortunately we don't have a generator, and I can't really think of where we could put one in our apartment. But there are a bunch of folks at church who do, and last time we lost power (ice storm, 3 days in December) we were able to survive. Hope we can tough this one out. Yeah, I am missing earthquake country now.
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I was thinking about taking a little trip down to the coast on Thursday, I guess that would be a bad idea now.
Posts: 155 | Registered: Aug 2003
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I was in Charlotte for Hugo, I was kind of young so I don't remember it too good. A tree fell in our yard and trees were down all over charlotte. Lots of people lost power, we had power and someone stayed with us and we did a lot of peoples laundry.
I'm in Raleigh right now and will be staying here.
Posts: 53 | Registered: Jan 2003
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I think you forgot a smilie there - there was $26 billion worth of damage, which is the most expensive natural disaster in US history.
I was in South Florida during Andrew and it was horrifically bad. I went down early to get ready for school and stayed with a friend in her parent's 7-bedroom mansion. Her parents went to New Jersey, so it was just us in the house. By the time we finished getting the house ready, there was little left in the supermarket (stupid French doors took forever to tape). I got what I could, but her family didn't have to buy olives for the next 2 years. We were lucky - we just got the tail end and power was back on in about 4 days. We all helped in the clean up and I cannot adequately describe what it was like in Dade County. Florida City was gone. I will never forget it as long as I live - every time I hear the phrase post-apocalyptic, I think of Florida City and Homestead after Andrew.
I don't want to panic anyone, though. There were very few deaths or injuries and I ended up marrying a man named Andrew.
For the people in its path - listen to the weather service and do exactly what they say. If you are in a mobile home, you MUST evacuate. Almost all the mobile homes in South Dade were destroyed during Andrew.
Keep safe - my thoughts are with you.
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Anybody who wants to come stay with me, you are welcome. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, and I have 2 spare beds and a couch. Seriously don't wait until it's too late. Why not take a little holiday even if it ends up not being necessary. What harm can it do?
Posts: 968 | Registered: Sep 2003
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Don't get overly complacent up North: the 6th worst hurricane to hit the US, Long Island Express followed a storm track remarkably similar to Isabel's storm track so far. (I think I've seen a longer tracking of Isabel that even more closely resembles that of the '38 hurricane, but can't find it right now)
Posts: 8501 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Well, it's bright and sunny here today. Perfect weather, really. One of the profs. here at my college is threatening to beat up the next student who asks if classes are going to be cancelled. Hehe...
Posts: 1295 | Registered: Jan 2003
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So how is everyone? I've been watching the news and it looks like Virginia Beach is getting throttled...and they say that the worst is yet to come. Sounds like NC coasts are getting hit pretty bad too. Any news or updates??
Posts: 75 | Registered: Sep 2003
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quote:At Virginia Beach, Va., huge waves destroyed a "small piece of the end" of the 400-foot-long 15th Street pier, the only oceanfront pier in the resort area, officials said.
I used to go there...
quote:Virginia Beach police suggested they write their names in permanent marker on their forearms so they can be identified if they are injured or killed.
Talk about scare tactics! Unfortunately, sometimes it's needed...
Posts: 5422 | Registered: Dec 2001
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I am in Canada and waiting for Isabel to get up here. (It's heading straight for me though...) By the time it reaches me it'll probably be down to category three or something, so I'm not too worried.
(I wanted a day off school, but it looks like it'll reach me Saturday or Sunday.)
Posts: 8473 | Registered: Apr 2003
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It was supposed to hit here in Eastern Pennsylvania, but now it looks like it's just going to rain a lot and be all windy. Virginia Beach does not look like a happy puppy, though As much as I enjoy the ocean, that is one reason I would never want to live right next to one.
Posts: 3516 | Registered: Sep 2002
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Yesterday afternoon, school was canceled for both today and tomorrow. The funny thing is, we've only had some wind and rain, nothing too major. But I'm not complaining, I get a four-day weekend. Posts: 2149 | Registered: Aug 2000
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Toretha - were you actually IN Baton Rouge when Andrew hit? Or were you just a small child at the time?
I lived there my whole LONG life and don't remember a hurricane hitting us that was as bad as Andrew. I had just moved to Alabama and was visiting home when it hit. It took 48 HOURS from start to finish in Baton Rouge - it seemed endless. Power went out w/in the first 8 hours and my parents house is 2 blocks from LSU campus - they were were without power for 7 DAYS!
It was bad. And Florida - we won't even go there.
Hope all the Hatrack East Coasters are okay.
Posts: 874 | Registered: Oct 1999
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My parents are in Virginia Beach - their power has been out since early yesterday, there are trees and branches down everywhere. They are weathering the storm at my grandmother's house so she wouldn't be there alone. They haven't been back to the house yet, but so far, so good.
Posts: 5422 | Registered: Dec 2001
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My parents are in Newport News. I called last night and today, but no one's picking up. The local newspaper say that 94% of homes are out of power in the area.
No major accidents in the area yet, though.
Posts: 1892 | Registered: Mar 2002
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yes, I was in Baton Rouge, right near the Perkins Road overpass, and yes, I was a small child at the time, so my memory is probably not very factual. I remember enjoying the whole thing and concluding that hurricanes were fun, and a good way of getting out of school, and my father taking us out on the porch to watch the hurricane, until mom made him stop, then he just went out without us. And we thought the no power part was fun. Dad just impressed on all of us kids how it was an adventure, and exciting.
My roommate Lacey would like to add that she was in a tent during Andrew, until the wind picked up at which point her father tied her to a tree, and she says she had a jolly good time.
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We survived the storm with a only a dent in the roof of our house-- and I was 2.5 hours late for work this morning.
It was pretty scary last night, and we still don't have electricity. But, all's well that ends well.
Posts: 14554 | Registered: Dec 1999
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I've also got family down in the Virginia Beach area and they're without power and their neighbor's house had two trees fall on it. Up here where I am, right by DC, it doesn't seem like anything more than a severe storm passed through my neighborhood. Although the neighborhoods and counties around me were much harder hit. It sounds like many people will be without power most of the weekend and several areas are rationing water.
Posts: 959 | Registered: Jan 2002
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well Toretha, kudos to your parents and Lacey's for making Andrew an adventure. As a child, I too thought hurricanes were exciting. Of course, most of them didn't last as long as Andrew did. I guess getting crotchety and old changes your perspective on things. I AM wondering what Lacey's MOM thought about her Dad having to tie her to a tree, though.
Good to here that all Hatrackers and extended family are okay with minor (we hope) problems only. Posts: 874 | Registered: Oct 1999
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Sorry to say guys, so far 8 people have died because of this storm. One of them happened today near me, debris falling out of a tree struck an SUV and killed the person inside. Something like that happened yesterday too, but the person is in critical condition.
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Has anyone heard how the Cards are doing? Geoff, maybe? I know they don't post here often, but it would be nice to know everything is okay. I'm sure Geoff would have said something if it weren't, but reassurances are always nice. Posts: 9871 | Registered: Aug 2001
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I certainly can't speak for the Cards, but Greensboro is about 1+ hour west of where I am (Durham) and for the most part it was not too bad here. Some sporadic power outages throughout the area, but damages were really quite minimal.
I would imagine that those who live in Greensboro were (hopefully) in pretty good shape.
Posts: 240 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Lacey's mom screamed at her father for having taken them camping when a hurricane was so near.
Posts: 3493 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Just got power back last night, still no water though. I have no idea what's happening outside of Northeastern NC- its like a dream state or should I say a nightmare state. My family and I are safe and had only minimal damage to our home. We were fortunate the floodwaters stopped just shy of our house. 90mph winds with 105mph gusts for 5 hours was not fun. Our county is devastated.75% of the homes are damaged, with 7% of the homes having 75% or more damage and are uninhabitable. They haven't been able to get to some areas of the county yet. We have a large historic district that was flooded and trees are uprooted everywhere. Many of these homes are 200 years old and now have to be torn down. Houses were knocked off there foundations by a 10 foot tidal surge. Many businesses are lost, including my husband's employer and my brother's fishing business. I don't know when schools will open again. Every person I know here has been affected. My mother in law has two houses that took major damage. All I can say is that it was a miracle more people weren't hurt or killed. Only two fatalities here reported so far. Thank God for the National Guard, Red Cross, Salvation Army, churches and other relief workers. The power crews from all over the state are busting their humps 24-7 to get power back on. I'm one of the lucky 50% that have it in our county so far. I will never stay here for another hurricane. The damage is extensive and I don't know when we'll get our lives back to normal. For all those who dodged this one, feel blessed. For my fellow N. Carolinians, hang in there with the long road of recovery ahead. Everyone here is helping their neighbors, family and friends and many volunteers are coming from other areas. I don't know if any other Hatrackers are from this area of the state, but if you are I'm thinking of you and praying for you. We will get through this. Jaxonn (Lisa)
Posts: 55 | Registered: May 2003
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That sounds awful Jaxonn. All those beautiful old houses and trees gone, and businesses that are down so that people not only have damage to their house and surroundings but also face a loss of income. .
Is there a fund to donate money to, to help your county? If so, please provide a link.
I wish you all the best!
Posts: 1247 | Registered: Apr 2000
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ginette- Thank you for the kind words. It really helps to know that the outside world hasn't forgotten about this small rural community and the task ahead of us. I can't find a link- my phone lines are still iffy and I keep getting booted off the internet. But the address is: Chowan County Isabel Disaster Donation Fund (Federal ID No. 56-2261469) PO Box 1030 Edenton, NC 27932
Posts: 55 | Registered: May 2003
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Toretha, I'd say the screaming was pretty justified wouldn't you? I'm sure her mom also thought "isn't this just like a man ..."
Jaxonn, I'm sorry to hear of all the post Isabel difficulties you are all having in your town. Just remember that "stuff" can be rebuilt - but no lives were lost there and that's most important. It's sometimes amazing to think that those 200 year old homes and trees managed to withstand other hurricanes, etc. for so long.
Take care and remember that we're all thinking about you even though the rest of the world may have moved on to the next news story.
Posts: 874 | Registered: Oct 1999
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KEGE- Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was beginning to think that the world had forgotten about us here. Since this area is sparsely populated, the focus always goes to other areas, like Va. Beach, which also got hit. The houses and trees have held up in other Hurricanes. But we've never taken a direct hit here before, not that I've heard of anyway. Usually by the time hurricanes reach us, they have weakened passing over land. But this one came in over swamps and marshland and nailed us at full strength. I also think others in this area either don't have power back yet or lost their homes, so posting is impossible. By the time they can, the world will have moved on. But, for any late comers, I'll be here.
Posts: 55 | Registered: May 2003
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