Tropical Storm Irene in New England

[Loafer]

As I write this, the rivers are all flooding their banks. Many trees down in different areas with power outages. Lots of people being evacuated in the low areas. Fortunately for us we are high on a hill. Friends were trying to get to our house for an overnight, but the bridge on the way is under water, they waited too long. They will return home and be safe. But no telling at this point how long before they can get out of there. The three large towns that form a triangle around our hillside community are all being flooded, they expect to be about 5 feet under water by morning. Basically the same thing occured in May.
One of my sons lives along a river and he can't get out now. He's worried that the clay hillside behind his house may let go and take the house down hill 75 feet to the river. We are worried for his safety, and nothing we can do, the road to his town is under water. Say a prayer, please.

Hoping everyone out there stays safe from this storm.

[Cajunrider]

We're praying for all of you up there Gerry. Down here, we all know quite well what a tropical system is capable of. Here, our main threat is storm surge. My home is 11 feet above sea level and I'm about 40 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Just to give you an idea why we evacuate for a Category 3 or higher, Katrina was pushing a 35' surge with high waves on top of that surge. 40 miles is far enough for the surge to relax and spread but we still don't risk it. I rode out Betsy with 135 mph winds in 1965 and Andrew in 1992 with the same. It isn't fun. The flooding rains and slides appear to be the biggest threat in the New England states. Keep us posted on how things progress. We will be thinking about y'all. Take care and God bless.

[usranger74]

Gerry - gald you high and dry. I hope all works out ok for your family.

[Loafer]

I just talked to my son Bill, he said so far he's OK. He doesn't know what the night will bring him. The location of his house is such that the only way out of there is down a flight of stairs (75 feet) and across a 100 foot, foot bridge. He parks his cars on the other side of the bridge next to the road. He owns about 5 acres of clay soil hillside. The house was built on telephone poles driven down in for a foundation. Don't know how much sleep I'll get tonight. But I'm going to go lay down now.

[ringadingh]

Hopefully it will not be as bad as predicted. We were supposed to get the remnants of it here today and it never happened.

[Cajunrider]

I just saw some Vermont footage on the news. The rivers are very high. It's good that Irene is racing away to the Northeast.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Gerry.

[Dave]

Loafer,

Why are you not blaming the Government and FEMA like the people in New Orleans? And where's your free FEMA credit card?

All kidding aside, good luck.

[BudMan]

I've been watching this storm on TV.
I hope everybody is OK. And gets through with minimal property damage.

[Loafer]

Thanks for the well wishes. ;)
We are safe where we are, my power lines are presently holding up one of my neighbors trees. The power company said they will get to it when the more important places have been taken care of. No problem from us.
Finally reached my son Bill this morning, :) he is OK but has lost soil under his deck now he's headed to check his river bank stairs and foot bridge. Been up most of the night thinking of him.

Dave, not sure, ??? but I might sound like someone that would use all the gov't programs given the chance. But that would be way out of character for me. I believe in helping others to a certain point. If they don't grab the ball and run with it, SEE YOU LATER...
When our road washes out, my neighbors and I go out and fix it, so the town can spend the resources elsewhere in town. We are a self sufficent group. Been here in this house for 34 years, have never needed the town to come here to fix anything.
Fema and such should be for those in real need.

[cnc]

Gerry, hope all turns out well for your son and of course any one who was in the storms path.

Yesterday I was at my cottage 70 miles north of Montreal. Really not much of anything, a few spits of rain and a bit breezy. We left at 2:30 and encountered the storm about half way to Montreal and getting worse as we drove south. The winds were high and pushing the car around as well as driving the rain across the road like snow in a winters storm.

We got home to find a big tree across the bottom of the street and is still blocking the way today. Half an hour after getting home, transformers started blowing and we were with out power most of the night. There are lots of leaves down around here today but not any significant damage. I can only imagine how it was for those of you living further south, and again hope that everyone is safe.

On a side note, I did get to fire up the generator I bought after the ice storm back in the nineties and have never had much chance to use. We turned on all the lights in the house. I am told that is what you are supposed to do to impress your neighbors but to be courteous, we did shut it down around midnight.

[Loafer]

Originally Posted by cnc

Gerry, hope all turns out well for your son and of course any one who was in the storms path.

Yesterday I was at my cottage 70 miles north of Montreal. Really not much of anything, a few spits of rain and a bit breezy. We left at 2:30 and encountered the storm about half way to Montreal and getting worse as we drove south. The winds were high and pushing the car around as well as driving the rain across the road like snow in a winters storm.

We got home to find a big tree across the bottom of the street and is still blocking the way today. Half an hour after getting home, transformers started blowing and we were with out power most of the night. There are lots of leaves down around here today but not any significant damage. I can only imagine how it was for those of you living further south, and again hope that everyone is safe.

On a side note, I did get to fire up the generator I bought after the ice storm back in the nineties and have never had much chance to use. We turned on all the lights in the house. I am told that is what you are supposed to do to impress your neighbors but to be courteous, we did shut it down around midnight.

We are truly grateful that the storm had lost some of its power when it got here. Having a generator is something I should think about doing. I remember that Ice storm, you northern brothers got the brunt of that one.
Glad the storm had quieted down even more for you in the north. Take care.

[Kawhead]

We're glad you're OK loafer!

[usranger74]

I am gald your reports of family sound better this AM.

[ringadingh]

A generator is a handy item to have on hand. I bought one after the big blackout here a few years ago. and have yet to need it since. But Im ready, just in case.