Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Mollie Hemingway, Ed. ·
October 29, 2012 at 12:07am
So Team Hemingway spent part of the weekend preparing for Hurricane Sandy, which is headed our way. It smells like a storm is brewing outside, which is kind of spooky.
And in the last hour or so, the federal government and the entire Metro system have announced they're shutting down tomorrow. I think that's wise, even though the worst part of the storm doesn't start until tomorrow evening. This is going to be a long haul.
School's out and we're just waiting for the power to go, too.
How is everyone else in the mid-Atlantic doing? You have your water, canned goods and liquor ready? You hunkered down?
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Comments:
Oct '12
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Our home is less than about a quarter mile from the Riritan River with New York Bay not far beyond. Flooding wasn't a concern, we are up about 20 feet from sea level on a hill and live on the second floor. Trouble is, this is where they are expecting heavier flooding if Sandy lands further south along the Jersey Shore. No evacuation orders yet. Several nearby towns flood regularly because of the river, I'm sure they aren't looking forward to this.
Edited on October 29, 2012 at 12:17amMay '10
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
I spent much of my youth on the Texas coast and evacuated a few times. There is something eery about it. I remember walking down to the shore right before we left for Austin. Dead silence except off in the distance you could hear a few people hammering boards over their windows.
Feb '11
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Papa Toad and I just finished a roof project and all the gutters are not back up, but we dug drainage ditches (serious driveway issues!) and raked up leaves. We've got chicken feed, water, cat food, lots of hot dogs (cooked on a stick over a campfire tastes best, the children assure me).
Last year our annual All Hallows Eve party was cancelled because we had no power and snow on the ground. This year, surprisingly, looks very similar.
Blessings to all Ricochetti!
Apr '11
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Got lots off candles, canned food, water and took some board games down from the attic. I think Monopoly may be making an appearance in my kitchen this week!
Edited on October 29, 2012 at 12:33amApr '11
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
We are prepared. Our Mayor has warned of increased Lake Michigan swells. Also Cook County voting sites will need to stay open till midnight to accomodate the storm exhausted democratic voters. The republicans with their skinny jeans and perms let their chauffeurs vote for them. We have been warned about those republican election judges.
May '10
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
The S family is scattered. Mr. S is home in CT battening down the hatches. Daughter S and her teammates are valiantly attempting to return to boarding school following a public speaking tournament in Calgary, AB, and I am in hotel in London, England wondering of my flight will leave for JFK on Wednesday. I have added two days to the hotel reservation, just to be safe. I would much rather be here than sitting on the floor at Heathrow.
Jun '10
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Topped off my car earlier this afternoon. Yesterday I picked up a couple of LED lanterns.
Last year we weathered the power outages fairly well. Of course it helped that we were only down for less than a week each time. It also helped we had the wood stove for warmth (for the second outage) and city water (so we could use our toilets) and gas for cooking.
One of these days we'll need to spring for a generator but we just spent $12,000 for some new windows. In the long run they'll be a smarter investment. They'll help all winter long but right now it would be nice to have a generator.
May '10
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
We spent most of yesterday and today prepping. I always super clean my house before a hurricane. Being without power in a messy house makes things worse somehow. Hopefully, our generator will work. We've got plenty of food and water. Even though the federal gov't offices are closed to the public, my husband will still have to go into work. My boys are looking forward to missing school and playing legos. I'm just so glad it's not hot!
Dec '11
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Stranded in manhattan.
Jun '10
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Just talked to my brother just outside NYC. They've laid up extra batteries and significant amounts of wine.
They're hoping drenching rains will pass them by as the oak trees still have all their leaves and softened earth will make power lines the loser in any conflict with the likely-to-uproot quercus.
Jun '10
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
We're waiting to take in a family from eastern Long Island. They've been evacuated already. However, I'm not sure how much better we'll be in Queens.
Candles? Did someone say candles? I'll run next door to the church and get some now! Thank you!
I use solar garden lights to make nice night lights.
Mollie, thanks for starting this thread!
Edited on October 29, 2012 at 3:18amJul '10
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
I've been hunkered down and liquor ready since Y2K.
Dec '10
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
I've prepared by being nowhere near the east coast.
Sep '12
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Depending on the strength of the winds and the age of your home, I hope people have the proper hurricane clips and tiedowns to hold the roof on the house.
If you have a basement and any kind of water leakage/drainage problem, you need a sump pump with battery or generator backup.
Be careful of the candles, as they are a real fire hazard. Also be careful of the liquor, as you want all your faculties sharp if the winds really blow, like taking roofs off or blowing out windows. Lastly, watch out for totally unpredictable tornadoes touching down, as hurricanes are notorious for spawning tornadoes.
Just speaking as a Floridian who has been through this drill more than once. Unfortunately, I'm also stuck at home while my wife is stuck in NY for a few more days since her flights home today were cancelled. Ugh.
ps. I have a son with his family in Maryland, but inside the beltway, who is hunkered down. He lived in Florida long enough to learn how to prepare.
Edited on October 29, 2012 at 1:17amDec '10
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
The administration is prepared:
Jul '10
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Cold light rain in central VA presently. Doubt we'll see much action here.
Aug '11
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Listening to Sandy in the trees as I type this. I love my 100 year old farmhouse, but the wind whistles through it like a haunted being.
I'm in the center of the Delmarva Peninsula and 30 feet above sea level--aside from downed trees and waterlogged roads I should be fine. But farmers in the low-lying areas are dreading this storm--whole islands have been known to disappear in hurricanes and there are many fragile areas around the bay.
Dec '10
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Here in mid-Tennessee, well stocked with liquor for the Broncos tonight. That plan is still on, but the drinks will be going out to you all on the East Coast.
Be safe, friends, you've got lots of thoughts and prayers pointing in your direction.
May '11
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Water, check. Candles, check. Peanut butter, check.
What wine goes with peanut butter?
...maybe I'll just polish off that bottle of Amarula, instead.
Feb '11
Re: Sandy's Ready to Party! Are You?
Which I laid in a large supply of grog and salt 'orse. Tis a weatherly barky and I'm sure she'll ride the storm.