Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
Having easily made it through Irene here in New York City, it's easy to joke about the media hype or exploitation of the hurricane. But when you look at these pictures coming out of Vermont, hype doesn't seem the right word. Wilmington, Ludlow, Brattleboro and Rutland have all seen major destruction, such as:
Any Ricocheters from Vermont able to update us on how you all are doing?
And what do you all think about the media coverage? Overdone or appropriate? My own view is that it was overdone but mostly because it failed to reflect the changing nature of Irene as she weakened, slowed down and became less destructive. Still a problem but not the worst case scenario some media outlets wanted her to be. Toby Harnden at the Telegraph, on the other hand, makes a good case for media malpractice with the hype.
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Mar '11
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
Here in Baltimore, over 50% of homes lost power, and over half of these are still without power now. That is pretty serious, and justifies the hype well enough for my taste. I spent yesterday morning clearing power lines.
20 people died. Without the fear created by the hype, people would have gone outside to glorify in the power of Nature. And many more would have perished.
I was raised in the shadow of Mount St Helens. Before it erupted, dozens of people went on day trips to see the mountain explode. Most of them died.
Edited on August 29, 2011 at 4:15pmAug '10
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
I think cable news abandoned editorial judgement in favor of hurricane hype with Hurricane Katrina. They hyped themselves senseless and that story proved even bigger than their fevered speculations.
There is no turning back for them now. Once the storm gets named it is Armageddon until the sun comes out, period. The storm can do as it pleases. They have their game-plan and they are sticking to it. This holds true for mayors, governors, and the President as well. No one wants to be the next Ray Nagin.
I don't have cable so I missed the hype almost entirely. Out to lunch yesterday there was a TV tuned to Fox News with the volume nearly off, I glanced up and saw some dufus in a raincoat, that usually means it could have been a lot worse.
I am very sorry to hear that 26 people lost their lives. The media and the politicos deserve some credit for convincing people to seek safe shelter, had they not the death toll may well have been even higher.
BTW- Bachmann went a little Pat Robertson over Irene and the recent earthquake this weekend, love to hear your thoughts on that Mollie.
Feb '11
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
Brattleboro really got hammered. That much rain in so short a time just has nowhwere to go in narrow river valleys.
Montpelier where I live had relatively minor flooding but the downtown area buildings have had their second basement flood-outs in 4 months. That is just wearying. Some businesses I imagine will not survive.
There is some concern that there will be another release of water upstream from an earthen dam that needs relief.
May '10
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
I don't think the hurricane was overhyped one iota. I was in Florida directly in the path of Hurricane Charlie in 2004 when it unexpectedly changed course and hit near Captiva before charging up Charlotte Harbor and inland. We had all been watching it, of course, but had to scramble to evacuate with virtually no notice because Charlie was expected to hit further north in Tampa instead. If the storm had hit NYC as a strong Category 1 how would everyone have gotten out quickly if those in the lowest lying areas hadn't already been evacuated?
I visited a cousin who lives on Long Island a few years back and it took two hours to reach her just with normal end-of-workday traffic. What if there were live downed powerlines, trees and the occasional collapsed building blocking one or more roadways? What if one or more tornadoes associated with the hurricane had hit and damaged or brought down an older skyscraper? Better to err on the side of caution, and not to back off those precautions until the potential danger passed.
Edited on August 29, 2011 at 5:25pmJun '10
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
While the coverage seemed desperte when the storm weakened, and it is quite silly to see reporters standing in the rain holding a mic, I appreciated the warnings. I'm only ten miels west of Manhattan and there were streets in my town turned into raging rivers. Flooding and power outages and downed trees everywhere. My husband & I went out bike riding after the storm passed to see how bad the damage was yesterday and were astounded that our entire park system had been turned into lakes and whitewater rapids were ripping down bridges and handrails and flooding nearby homes and yards. THe wind was whipping up like crazy last night, as well. It was a terrible mess, and this morning while the water levels are down, the parks are barely recognizable. An EMT friend was riding around town chasing idiots out of the water.
My next door neighbor batttled the flooded basement all night & day. When power was lost, my husband fashioned a manual pump & got the basement to drain with hoses the old fashioned way.
This was a really, really dangerous storm & I am glad we all took it seriously.
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
common_sense_and_good_judgment: Brattleboro really got hammered. That much rain in so short a time just has nowhwere to go in narrow river valleys.
Montpelier where I live had relatively minor flooding but the downtown area buildings have had their second basement flood-outs in 4 months. That is just wearying. Some businesses I imagine will not survive.
There is some concern that there will be another release of water upstream from an earthen dam that needs relief. · Aug 29 at 7:44am
Please stay safe and keep us updated!
Jun '10
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
Twenty to thirty people have died to this point from the storm. Four million people are without power, a very dangerous and life threatening situation going forward. Even after the storm had toned down to way below hurricane status, the devastation of flooding continues, as Mollie vividly points out, as far north as Vermont. I don't call the coverage over-hyped in the least. I only thank God that major population centers were spared. It's easy enough to turn off the TV or change the channel...when one has electricity to start with.
Jun '10
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
I am sure there are thousands of local outlets in the east where wall to wall worry coverage and constant patronizing admonitions to do the obvious would have been appropriate. Everytime New York stubs its toe it is a national emergency. How many of you have heard of Hurricane Elvis? I was mercifully on a Florida vacation for the first of the two weeks my home did not have power. But for that second week it was horribly hot, still, and quiet (except for the whine, by day, of thousands of chain saws). A few more might have heard of the 2010 Nashville flood.
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
When we have warning of an impending natural disaster, whose scale is really unknown, put me in the "Better Safe Than Sorry" column. Those who complain about an over the top reaction from government or news media ought to be consistent and show their approval next time a lackadaisical approach leads to disaster.
Mar '11
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
I have the deepest sympathy for those in New England. I have been through two hurricanes in Virginia and three at sea - there is nothing really like one of these monsters to unnerve a man or woman and make despair. Irene was bad but nothing compared to Isabel, at least here in Virginia. We have followed family in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and they are well, thank God. I hope for the best for all - hurricanes are a genuine scourge of man.
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
I kept thinking, as people complained about hype and what not, whether they also complained about those folks that stayed behind in Katrina.
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
I kept thinking, as people complained about hype and what not, whether they also complained about those folks that stayed behind in Katrina. · Aug 29 at 5:53pm
Or how many of them complained that Ray Nagin should have been more proactive... In such circumstances, public officials in particular will be blamed no matter what they do. Best to err on the side of protecting life.
Nov '10
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
Three days after Irene I am sitting in Southern Maryland at the library using their internet after taking my 8yr old to the pool to get a hot shower because I have no power. We are only able to get off our street because we cut a large hole in the branches of the giant tree laying across our power lines so we can drive under it. My neighborhood looks like a war zone with fallen trees having taken out houses, cars, and too many power lines to count. A walk only as far as around the block revealed probably 8-10 homes with trees on or through the roofs. One unfortunate soul has a tree through both the front and back of his home. There are many trees precariously perched leaning against other trees and power lines ready to fall at any minute. We have about half a dozen trees in our yard and only minor roof damage to show for it. Considering the condition of my neighborhood, I feel very fortunate right now.
I'm getting seriously irritated with Drudge's headlines about how this hurricane was over-hyped. And I miss surfing Ricochet. So there.
Re: Raging Waters From Irene ... In Vermont
Sheila S.: Three days after Irene I am sitting in Southern Maryland at the library using their internet after taking my 8yr old to the pool to get a hot shower because I have no power. We are only able to get off our street because we cut a large hole in the branches of the giant tree laying across our power lines so we can drive under it. My neighborhood looks like a war zone with fallen trees having taken out houses, cars, and too many power lines to count. A walk only as far as around the block revealed probably 8-10 homes with trees on or through the roofs. One unfortunate soul has a tree through both the front and back of his home. ...
I'm getting seriously irritated with Drudge's headlines about how this hurricane was over-hyped. And I miss surfing Ricochet. So there. · Aug 30 at 7:30am
Agree completely, Sheila. I'm glad you guys are okay though. Hang in there. Maybe some of the supplies I delivered yesterday will trickle down to you. I hope so. Stay safe.