Companies are closing early today to let employees get home, purchase supplies, and take necessary precautions. Tonight or tomorrow I'll bring in all the deck furniture and potted plants - bunches of coleuses that have grown exceptionally large and tall this season. One of our concerns is that we could lose power for a few days, so John and I have already purchased some dry goods in case we can't cook on the electric stove. We also bought some vaccuum-sealed meats that don't have to be refrigerated, so that we can cook on the grill if we're out of power after the rain and winds go away. Here's what today's Wall Street Journal had to say:
"Power companies on the Eastern seaboard braced for Hurricane Irene, warning customers that major power outages are likely if the storm makes good on its threat to make landfall this weekend with high wind speeds. Utilities are preparing for downed power lines, damage to power substations in low-lying areas and uprooted trees from North Carolina to Massachusetts. It's not clear what path the hurricane will follow and utilities are preparing for any of three potential tracks. It could pass through coastal areas in North Carolina on Saturday on its way toward the greater New York City area by Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center. On Thursday, Irene was a Category 3 hurricane with wind speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Utilities throughout the region said they are mobilizing workers and setting up staging areas, so crews can quickly reach damaged areas and restore service... Consolidated Edison, which supplies power to New York City, said flooding could delay workers from reaching some facilities in the event they are damaged."
It looks like wind speeds could be 75 - 100 mph in our area, but the only place we could really evacuate to would be my in-laws in Connecticut, and they're going to get hit just as bad, if not worse, because they're closer to the coast than we are. We're a little bit inland, so maybe the wind won't be quite so bad.
Here I am talking about my plants, but the real concerns are injuries, the potential loss of life, and billions of dollars of damage to property. They're even speculating that the New York City subways (which I ride to the office) could get flooded.
This isn't going to be very fun. I honestly can't think what else could happen this summer:
John had major surgery on his colon.
Dad had a pace maker installed in July and is having an ablation in two weeks.
My mother had a knee replacement last month.
My best friend has been diagnosed with an illness similar to multiple sclerosis, after getting divorced, and I'm helping him get to a clinic since he can't drive well.
What next?!?!
