It's moved a little further east which puts most of us fairly out of danger.. there is only a 5% chance of 58mph winds in Philly/eastern PA. Unless I forget my dwellars there is only one in danger from winds... big w00dy.

I'm in cherry hill right now. I think woody is near Camden.

Isn't bbro in the line of fire?

Ah I had w00dy pegged further in Jersey but I think you're right. bbro's in Raleigh which looks like tropical storm wind territory too and not the 58-mph sustained wind area.

A bullet went over my left ear. Therefore I was never in danger. The latest hurricane track takes it slightly east - headed for Suffolk County. That much change in direction means most danger is averted. Irene moved 35 miles east taking the blunt of a threat away from land. Unlike New Orleans, NYC averted a bullet.

Irene hit NC only as a category 1 hurricane. It lost power in 82 degree (28 degree C) water.

Well, the local gossip is on the beach in Ocean City and Atlantic City. Hyping already 'severe' waves. Look behind those reporters. Water is flat. How to get so many people to not heed warnings next time? Let anyone assume the local gossip has any credibility.

The local gossip also compares this storm to Hurricane Floyd that passed over the Jersey coast maybe five years ago. Floyd created 30+ foot waves off NC. They forgot to mention that Floyd was not even a tropical storm when it got to Cape May.

Meanwhile Irene only created 27 foot waves. A lesser 'cane.

Hurricane Donna in 1962 was a major threat. Donna also moved east. Hit Suffolk County; never hit NJ. Also did not come close enough to NYC to drive a massive storm surge into a confined box called Lower New York / Sandy Hook / Raritan Bay. Another bullet that passed just over the left ear. will do almost no damage.

Those listening to the local gossip will now assume they are smarter. Because this 'cane (that has not yet arrived) will not do what it promised. Many will now stay for every future hurricane because they are smarter; because they are listening and learning from the local gossip.

Evacuations like this are essential for eight such hurricanes. Because only one does serious damage.

The honeymoon is over. We now learn what Irene looks like once the makeup is off. At least we had the anticipation?


BTW, I was viewing damage created by Mission Accomplished. Something approaching half the critical data buoys are defective. Some have been in need of service even since early 2010. Another tribute to wackos who saved America from Saddam's WMDs.

I just finished getting ready. Even with it tracking to the east, we are supposed to get sustained 30-45 mph winds, and gusts in the 50-55 range. 55 is powerful. That's enough to pick up a garbage can and throw it through your window, or rip shingles off your roof.

I just brought in all my lawn furniture, tied up my garbage cans, and switched out the screens for the storm windows on the north and east side of the house.

Now the only thing I'm worried about is the rain. We're supposed to get 1 to 4.5 inches. If we get 4.5 inches, our basement is going to flood just from the roof and yard runoff. If the power goes out, the sump pump won't work. Plus, I'll probably be asleep, so won't be monitoring it.

I am ready. All the stuff is off my porch. I went to Costco yesterday with a friend and I have an industrial pack of canned chicken. And I have plenty of liquor.

Tomorrow morning, however, I am due at the Emergency Operations Center at 0600 to staff the Rumor Control Line. Therefore, I will likely not be able to check in until it's all over. I should be there until 1800, but they could shut Rumor Control down early and send us home.

A friend was supposed to do it with me, but he just pussied out. I'm hoping that he will change his mind ... because he was going to stay over tonight and drive.

Do you tell callers to check Snopes?

Should the opportunity present itself, I will.

Recorded line, though.

My BF was practicing with me ... "So, is this hurricane hitting so soon after the earthquake evidence of the Wrath of the Lord?"

"Yes, sir. You should not have eaten of the kid boiled in it's mother's milk or gotten that tattoo. You'll need to provide a burnt offering so that the odor may be pleasing to the Lord as redress."

That sounds like fun!

Power is out. Storm is raging. Gonna go lay in bed in the dark and sweat. Shitski.

Greetings from the Rumor Control Center. I got called in early. I raised my hand to ask a question during the initial briefing and I'm the Rumor Control Manager. I cam calmly assure you that no tornadoes have touched down in the County, but several basement apartment laundry rooms are taking water. There is a box of Geiger counters down the hall from my office.

You get the coolest jobs!

Awesome!!

That's what really sucks about it. It's too hot to enjoy.

It was windy and rainy. We never lost power. Our basement didn't flood. The newspaper had even been delivered when I got up this morning. Excellent news on all fronts.

Our neighbors moved their cars out of their driveway, and there is a big dead tree limb in their place. But the cars look fine. I wonder what the story is there?

As I went to bed, the sustained winds were around 20-25 mph, and the maximum gusts were around 40 mph. Not too windy at all.