Hurricane Irene

Getting Ready for Hurricane Sandy

/ inkspeare / 4 Comments

It is Sunday, but the sky is already dark, the wind is picking up, and critters are taking shelter.  Hurricane Sandy is scheduled to hit our area starting Monday night to Tuesday, but I can tell that this is different from last storm, Irene.  Right now, it is very windy and dark.  This storm is different; it is very wide, slow, has powerful winds, and comes with lots of water/rain.  Experts have called it “significant life threatening surge” referring to the waves and possible flooding in low areas.  We are getting ready for the storm since we are in a coastal town – Cliffwood Beach.  Here is how we have prepared so far.

Large windows and glass doors are getting hexed.  The Star of David is a powerful symbol of protection, so why not tape our windows and doors by using it.

The pantry is stocked with necessities and there is extra pet food, litter, cat treats, and extra water. (There is more pet food than human food – LOL)

I cut flowers from the garden to ease the cabin fever blues.

Lanterns, flashlights, laptop, meds, paper for writing, extra batteries, emergency radio … all checked.

I will have plenty of time to start reading this treasure that I obtained recently – The Royal Path to Life – an 1800’s thick volume that is the equivalent to a bible for a happy and productive life, according to the times.  Can’t wait to read this beauty.

 

Because we are a bit worried about this Frankenstorm or Mega storm or The Perfect Storm as the news reports are calling it, we need to have some kind of childish therapy to make us feel a bit better, so we got Glow bracelets to wear.

This morning I went to the beach to take some pictures and video and the wind had made a natural pathway of leaves leading the way.

The sky is getting dark and it is early morning, the winds are picking up.

The birds are trying to land, the wind is a bit strong and they fly very slow.

Sea Foam tries to form.

I hope that the storm weakens and that there is no damage to lives (human/critters) and property.

 

 

 

I FaceBooked My Way Through Irene

/ inkspeare
Facebook logo

Image via Wikipedia

Well, the worst of Irene in Cliffwood Beach, NJ is over.  We had some trees down, and some flooding, but overall, better than what we expected.  I decided to keep aware and did not sleep until the worst of the hurricane was over.  Facebook helped me cope with Irene, and in a way, it helped ease my nerves.  I talked to family and friends while the winds were hitting the house, and this proved to be good storm therapy for me.  This proves once more that FB is more than a networking site, it extends to much more.  It has become a way for us to communicate during hard times, and many times the only way when phones and other ways of communication don’t work.

Irene scared the heck out of many people; I Facebooked my way through Irene.

Hurricane Irene – An Education

/ inkspeare
Irene was located south of Bermuda and was mov...

Image via Wikipedia

I live in Cliffwood Beach, NJ, close to the path of Irene.  I have observed the preparation for the storm and I have gotten an education on how differently people react.  First, I have to say that Governor Chris Christie has made New Jerseyans feel safe, as he seems very prepared and ready, and he is not taking things lightly.  He has also been “very real” giving his awareness speeches.  I applaud him for this.

Despite all the warnings, I have observed people taking the arrival of Irene very lightly – having parties, planning on getting drunk, or staying in danger zones that are mandatory evacuation.  I know people who are not ready, even with the basics of water and can food.  Their believe – “Nothing is going to happen.”  They just don’t seem to want to hear it.

I have also seen people who at the time of this writing have not secured their stuff outside – many of this things, with the possibility of turning into dangerous projectiles that may damage other people property or even lives.

For the ones planning on partying and getting drunk, think of your family, and the importance of being alert enough to get them to safety if they need you.  There are plenty of times to get drunk and party, and during emergency alert is not one of them.

I have observed that most of the stores here in local Jersey are almost empty.  I am not sure about today, but water is certainly almost gone.  I had to visit two places yesterday to be able to buy water ( single small bottles since the 24 pk kind was gone in my area).  Affordable wood panels were almost gone at the local Home Depot – I had to buy two panels costing $20 each, to cover large windows.  At least it is a good sign that people are getting ready with supplies.  It also makes me think how low in supplies the local stores are, and in the event of a large emergency, they may not be enough for everyone.

I hope that we don’t get hit hard by Irene; it has certainly been an education prior her arrival.